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
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
Asked about Valdez, Bis said law enforcement deployed chemical irritants including pepper balls, but not rubber bullets, after agitators attempted to breach the perimeter at Glass House Farms.
—Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2026
Instead of removing the anti-free speech agitators, UNLV police escorted Peer off campus.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 9 May 2026
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
Asked about Valdez, Bis said law enforcement deployed chemical irritants including pepper balls, but not rubber bullets, after agitators attempted to breach the perimeter at Glass House Farms.
—Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2026
Instead of removing the anti-free speech agitators, UNLV police escorted Peer off campus.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 9 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.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
22 June 2026
-
That’s partly because eastern Congo is also battling ongoing violence from rebels.—
Constant Same Bagalwa,
Chicago Tribune,
22 June 2026
Noun
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In 2022, French forces departed Mali as insurgents made incursions into the capital, Bamako.—
Kaitlyn Rabe,
The Conversation,
16 June 2026
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The insurgents become known as the Osos (Bears).—
Kurt Snibbe,
Oc Register,
12 June 2026
Noun
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The final whistle may have ended the match, but the celebration was just getting started for England supporters in North Texas.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
19 June 2026
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The pending bill’s supporters say its changes are designed to address cases like that of Gilberto Guttierrez, a Los Angeles County man who has been accused of attacking his wife four times over the last 12 years.—
James Queally,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
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.—
Austin Perry OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
1 May 2026
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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.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Joshua’s contract also states White and Zuffa Boxing cannot be named promoters of the Fury bout, despite Al-Sheikh owning 60 per cent of the company.—
Chris McKenna,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
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The Buffaloes are, as promised by promoters, a power conference foe for the Aztecs in the inaugural game honoring San Diego native Bill Walton, who passed away in May 2024.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 June 2026
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.—
Francesca Cassidy,
Fortune,
22 June 2026
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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.—
Alejandra Molina,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
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.—
Bernard Avishai,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
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But demeaning our brand through association with vulgar demagogues is a losing strategy.—
Alma Hernandez,
New York Daily News,
1 May 2026
Noun
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His climate policy push has generated moments of significant blow back from right-leaning politicians and outspoken members of the public, leading political observers to cast green policies as all-but-inevitable instigators of climate backlash.—
Justin Worland,
Time,
3 June 2026
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There are leaders, lurkers, peacekeepers, instigators, and the person who only surfaces to drop an occasional thumbs-up.—
Sam Reed,
Glamour,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Agitators.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agitators. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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