as in rebels
a person who stirs up public feelings especially of discontent
a political agitator who led an unsuccessful revolt against the government
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Recent Examples of agitators
The majority of speakers at Tuesday’s board meeting urged the board not to allow online agitators to dictate personnel decisions.
—
Ciara McCarthy 24,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 June 2026
In recent years, agitators have fueled anti-immigration street violence following crimes committed by, or falsely reported to have been committed by, immigrants.
—
ABC News,
23 June 2026
Over the past decade, Osees have reinvented themselves as prog-metal warriors, hardcore agitators, and synth-punk freaks, investing each new permutation with the same degree of blitzkrieg aggression.
—
Stuart Berman,
Pitchfork,
18 June 2026
In January, a DHS official sent a memo to some federal immigration agents temporarily assigned to Minneapolis instructing them to collect personal information about protesters and agitators, including license plates, identifications and images, according to CNN reporting.
—
Jude Joffe-Block,
NPR,
10 June 2026
Shocking video captured the moments anti-ICE agitators were arrested outside Delaney Hall in Newark, New Jersey, Friday, during riotous confrontations.
—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
6 June 2026
Racial divisions around the case have propelled it to the national forefront, drawing the attention of both right-wing agitators and civil rights organizations.
—
Matt Lavietes,
NBC news,
6 June 2026
The governor continued her call for peaceful demonstrations and urged outside agitators to stay home.
—
Mark Prussin,
CBS News,
31 May 2026
Longtime forward Claude Lemieux, one of hockey’s fiercest competitors and greatest agitators during a memorable 21-year NHL career that included four Stanley Cup championships and a one-year stint in the San Jose Sharks organization, died unexpectedly on Thursday.
—
Curtis Pashelka,
Mercury News,
28 May 2026
Ciara McCarthy 24,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 June 2026
In recent years, agitators have fueled anti-immigration street violence following crimes committed by, or falsely reported to have been committed by, immigrants.
—
ABC News,
23 June 2026
Over the past decade, Osees have reinvented themselves as prog-metal warriors, hardcore agitators, and synth-punk freaks, investing each new permutation with the same degree of blitzkrieg aggression.
—
Stuart Berman,
Pitchfork,
18 June 2026
In January, a DHS official sent a memo to some federal immigration agents temporarily assigned to Minneapolis instructing them to collect personal information about protesters and agitators, including license plates, identifications and images, according to CNN reporting.
—
Jude Joffe-Block,
NPR,
10 June 2026
Shocking video captured the moments anti-ICE agitators were arrested outside Delaney Hall in Newark, New Jersey, Friday, during riotous confrontations.
—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
6 June 2026
Racial divisions around the case have propelled it to the national forefront, drawing the attention of both right-wing agitators and civil rights organizations.
—
Matt Lavietes,
NBC news,
6 June 2026
The governor continued her call for peaceful demonstrations and urged outside agitators to stay home.
—
Mark Prussin,
CBS News,
31 May 2026
Longtime forward Claude Lemieux, one of hockey’s fiercest competitors and greatest agitators during a memorable 21-year NHL career that included four Stanley Cup championships and a one-year stint in the San Jose Sharks organization, died unexpectedly on Thursday.
—
Curtis Pashelka,
Mercury News,
28 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for agitators
Noun
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That's partly because eastern Congo is also battling ongoing violence from rebels.
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That’s partly because eastern Congo is also battling ongoing violence from rebels.
Noun
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Ocasio-Cortez, who may be eyeing a House leadership role or Senate bid, has stayed out of key New York City-area House races, unlike Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Sanders, who are backing insurgents trying to oust incumbents.
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Two very different—and very close—insurgents Warshaw’s path to this race runs through the places where New York’s biggest problems actually live.
Noun
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The House passed a bipartisan package of children’s online safety bills in a 267-117 vote Monday, advancing legislation that supporters say would better protect children online but critics warn could threaten privacy and free expression.
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Meanwhile, singing anthems at England national team matches is nothing new for English supporters.
Noun
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Just a funny parasocial back-and-forth between some of the most passionate fans in sports and one of the best provocateurs the SEC has seen since Steve Spurrier.
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Alliances with independents and provocateurs can bring younger crowds to the traditional news fold in an era when such viewership is not guaranteed.
Noun
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The biggest issue is the promoters that, for lack of a better word, don’t really understand what their job is, who are perpetuating the issue by rewarding the young men and women that are going out of their way to do these crazy things – jumping off of balconies, crazy moves every match.
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The parties with the most ticket sales and highest prices, which can run as high as US$80 or more for an after-party, are often put on by out-of-town promoters.
Noun
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Many proponents believe that access to affordable models will act as a leveler, allowing smaller enterprises to innovate, test, and gain insights in ways previously that were previously much more challenging.
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David DaCosta, of the 18-acre Ace*Mission Studios, is among those pushing for what’s known as a Business Improvement District, or BID, in the area that proponents refer to as the Boyle Heights Industrial Flats, which runs adjacent to the river.
Noun
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But those standards can be easily stretched by demagogues, and a simple majority on the committee is enough to ban a party, though a panel of nine Supreme Court justices can overturn the decision on appeal.
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But demeaning our brand through association with vulgar demagogues is a losing strategy.
Noun
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Heat coach Erik Spoelstra at the time downplayed the confrontation, with the Heat routinely making peace after acquiring former Heat instigators.
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The parents, arguably the film’s first instigators, operate based off fear of their children’s sexuality.
Cite this Entry
“Agitators.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agitators. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
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