agitator

noun

ag·​i·​ta·​tor ˈa-jə-ˌtā-tər 

: one that agitates: such as

a

: one who stirs up public feeling on controversial issues

political agitators

b

: a device or an apparatus for stirring or shaking

Synonyms

• demagogue
• demagog
• exciter
• firebrand
• fomenter
• incendiary
• inciter
• instigator
• kindler
• provocateur
• rabble-rouser

Examples of agitator in a Sentence

The police arrested several anti-government agitators.

a political agitator who led an unsuccessful revolt against the government

Recent Examples on the Web

Now everyone, including the most radical agitators, is a publisher. —David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Dec. 2024

Sign up March The veteran left-wing agitator George Galloway returns to Westminster for a three-month stint after winning a decisive victory in the Rochdale by-election. —The Week Uk, theweek, 25 Dec. 2024

Some of the anti-Israel agitators jumped into the stands and were quickly apprehended by security. —Bradford Betz, Fox News, 19 Dec. 2024

He’s vowed to invest in an economy that is anti-woke, bolstering his cabinet with agitators—such as Brendan Carr, his choice for chair of the Federal Communications Commission—that have promised to end DEI. —Jason Parham, WIRED, 21 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

agitate + -or entry 1

First Known Use

1663, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

agitator

noun

ag·​i·​ta·​tor ˈaj-ə-ˌtāt-ər 

1

: a person who stirs up public feeling

2

: a device for stirring or shaking