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

The tech billionaire has called for new elections in the U.K., criticizing British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and voicing support for far-right figures in the country such as Nigel Farage, head of the Reform party, and Tommy Robinson, an anti-immigrant agitator. —Laura Kelly, The Hill, 6 Jan. 2025

On April 30, agitators who were said to identify as Zionist attacked the encampment. —Orlando Mayorquín, New York Times, 22 Dec. 2024

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

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