1
2
as in to disturb
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy
there's no need to agitate the patient about little things
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to shake
to make a series of small irregular or violent movements
set the washing machine so it will agitate for four minutes before going into the rinse cycle
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in to discuss
to talk about (an issue) usually from various points of view and for the purpose of arriving at a decision or opinion
a question which has been agitated by the legislature time and time again
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in frenzy
a state of wildly excited activity or emotion
knew immediately, from the horses' agitation, that something terrible was happening
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in anxiety
an uneasy state of mind usually over the possibility of an anticipated misfortune or trouble
experienced a great deal of agitation over whether she had an appropriate dress for her husband's inauguration
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples 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 agitate
Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Dec. 2024
The systems work by agitating and mixing water, causing warmer water near the bottom to rise to the surface.
—Tim Ryan, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024
David K. Li, NBC News, 3 Dec. 2024
But relatively few people then or now recall how the Canal Zone had become a scene of anti-American agitation and unrest in the 1960s.
—Ron Elving, NPR, 28 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for agitate 
Verb
Grab a fork, chopstick, or skewer, wrap it in a microfiber cloth, and use it to agitate any buildup clinging to the bottom of the glass.
—Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Dec. 2024
The systems work by agitating and mixing water, causing warmer water near the bottom to rise to the surface.
—Tim Ryan, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024
Noun
Deterioration from rabies can often bring unbearable brain dysfunctions such as anxiety, confusion, agitation and hallucinations, the CDC says.
—David K. Li, NBC News, 3 Dec. 2024
But relatively few people then or now recall how the Canal Zone had become a scene of anti-American agitation and unrest in the 1960s.
—Ron Elving, NPR, 28 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for agitate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for agitate
Verb
-
Reduce heat to medium-high and simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 5 minutes.—
Elizabeth Mervosh,
Southern Living,
11 Jan. 2025
-
Prepare yourself to watch some Real Housewives stir the pot while big-game players — think: Survivor, Big Brother, The Challenge — inflict maximum pain on the competition.—
Ana Osorno,
Them,
10 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
The volcano’s light illuminates a double lenticular cloud, or a UFO-like cloud formation created when a mountain disturbs air flow and creates standing waves above it.—
Carlyn Kranking,
Smithsonian Magazine,
10 Jan. 2025
-
The restaurant’s owner requested that the police detain the tourist for intoxication and disturbing the public order; on Sunday, Cabo Rojo’s mayor said that the responding officer had been suspended while the case was being investigated.—
Graciela Mochkofsky,
The New Yorker,
8 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
So what is the Warriors' appetite to shake things up this season?—
Yaakov Katz,
Newsweek,
17 Jan. 2025
-
But the potential for shaking things up would be there every day.—
Mike Sando,
The Athletic,
17 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Immigration as a major issue But when asked about other issues, such as cybersecurity or domestic terrorism, Noem often pivoted to discussing border security.—
Lexie Schapitl,
NPR,
17 Jan. 2025
-
The former Michigan governor, Biden and Harris campaign surrogate — and vocal Trump critic — declined to discuss partisan politics in her official capacity as a sitting Cabinet secretary.—
Yaakov Katz,
Newsweek,
17 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
The king of college football will be back, and soon But Indiana’s CFP inclusion whipped the Big Ten’s detractors into a frenzy, as skeptics within and outside the SEC looked to discount the Hoosiers’ 11-win season because of their strength of schedule.—
Scott Dochterman,
The Athletic,
9 Jan. 2025
-
Look no further than the image of Jey Uso standing on the announcers’ table with Travis Scott and Pat McAfee during his entrance — whipping fans into a frenzy as a drone flew around him and out over the crowd — for a taste of the energy Uso brings to the ring.—
Joe Otterson,
Variety,
8 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Then the widespread anxiety spurred by a wave of high-profile robberies and the deadly home-invasion of Jacqueline Avant.—
Gary Baum,
The Hollywood Reporter,
18 Jan. 2025
-
The situation caused Campbell a lot of anxiety, but became a pivotal shift in her perspective.—
Kait Hanson,
Glamour,
18 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Vlasic is not bothered by this but does have a suggestion for the NHL.—
Curtis Pashelka,
The Mercury News,
15 Jan. 2025
-
The latter group ultimately just couldn’t be bothered to get off their couches.—
Nancy Tartaglione,
Deadline,
15 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
It’s composed of rows of TV monitors arranged into a grid (à la Minimalism) and displaying undulating black-and-white patterns that appear to vibrate (à la Op).—
Alex Greenberger,
ARTnews.com,
6 Jan. 2025
-
In another breakthrough, researchers built an ultra-sensitive microphone informed by spider silk, which vibrates with the subtle perturbations of sound waves moving through the air.—
Carlyn Kranking,
Smithsonian Magazine,
31 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near agitate
Cite this Entry
“Agitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agitate. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share