agitators

noun

plural of agitator
as in rebels
a person who stirs up public feelings especially of discontent a political agitator who led an unsuccessful revolt against the government

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of agitators The incident came as agitators against immigration adopt a confrontational new tactic of trying to stop the boats landing on England’s shores, clashing with police and rescue workers in the process. — Jill Lawless, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026 Among the agitators were the workers at Sytin’s Moscow publishing house. — James Folta, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2026 In Portsmouth, a group of far-right agitators first attempted to stop lifeboats from bringing the migrants onshore before seeking to block buses from taking the asylum seekers to a processing facility. — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2026 Now, Bartko fears death in a Kansas prison cell or deportation to Belarus, where her friends have been prosecuted as political agitators. — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 30 Aug. 2026 For several years before the IAU vote, there had been agitators among the astronomical community lobbying for our solar system's nine worlds to become eight, and for Pluto's planetary status to be revoked. — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 24 Aug. 2026 Tibbetts wants fans to blame outside agitators for ruining the league's momentum. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 17 Aug. 2026 Some of the speculation comes from state workers who are unhappy with the governor’s decision, the moderator said, but the subreddit’s activity also attracts outside agitators who are obviously not government employees. — William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 21 July 2026 Top-load washers with agitators or impellers clean tough fabrics well by physically moving clothes to loosen dirt. — Maria Sabella, The Spruce, 20 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for agitators
  1. rebels
  2. insurgents
  3. supporters
  4. provocateurs
  5. promoters
  6. proponents
  7. demagogues
  8. instigators
Noun
  • Ethiopian Airlines had suspended flights to Mekelle and the Tigrayan cities of Axum and Shire after the rebels seized the airport.
    — Rodney Muhumuza, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026
  • While the British prevailed over the rebels, the uprising laid the foundations for African nationalism.
    — Chinatsu Tsuji, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of rebels
Noun
  • International sanctions persisted, and PF’s ZANLA and ZIPRA insurgents continued their liberation war.
    — Chinatsu Tsuji, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Rancho libertarians, like their Scotch-Irish cousins from another mother, are forever skeptical of government, respect insurgents who want to take on the establishment, love their people and subscribe to a bootstraps approach to life.
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of insurgents
Noun
  • The measure has drawn mixed reactions, with supporters arguing that early intervention could reduce per-student costs over time and opponents saying property owners already face rising costs and the district should use existing resources.
    — Chaewon Chung, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Clark supporters argued one game was insufficient for an ejectable non-basketball act.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of supporters
Noun
  • The faux outrage was egged on by professional right-wing provocateurs like Robby Starbuck, Benny Johnson and a leading investor in MAGA darling Steak n’ Shake.
    — Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Global organizations navigate a complex landscape, prompting boards to evolve beyond traditional oversight into strategic provocateurs.
    — Anna Marks, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
Definition of provocateurs
Noun
  • Two vocal supporters of Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Xavier Becerra filed a formal campaign finance complaint against his rival, Steve Hilton, on Tuesday over the Republican campaign’s use of paid online promoters.
    — Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Fears about a future AI apocalypse distract us from its present-day harms — just as its promoters hope.
    — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of promoters
Noun
  • The measure works largely by imposing deadlines on state agencies and courts to issue decisions on those projects, proponents say.
    — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 30 Sep. 2026
  • The president has reworked Russia’s economy and political system around the conflict, channeling investment into weapons factories and making loud proponents of the war central figures in the country’s government.
    — Dmytro Kuleba, Foreign Affairs, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of proponents
Noun
  • Unsheltered intertwined two plots related to the precarity of American life and the danger of demagogues — one set at the dawn of the MAGA era.
    — Sam Worley, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
  • This included understanding the history of democratic ideas and practical governance, as well as the need to protect minority groups and the dangers posed by demagogues.
    — Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of demagogues
Noun
  • Luis Suarez was one of the instigators, spit on a Sounders official, and was punished with six-game Leagues Cup suspension, which means the Uruguayan forward is banned from the entire 2026 tournament.
    — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 6 Aug. 2026
  • It was said in jest, yet the sport’s most audacious instigators might take him up on it.
    — Stephen J. Nesbitt, New York Times, 23 July 2026
Definition of instigators

Browse Nearby Words

agitator
agitators
agleam
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Cite this Entry

“Agitators.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agitators. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.

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