1
as in to stir
to cause (as a liquid) to move about in a circle especially repeatedly this room could use a ceiling fan to agitate the stuffy air a bit

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
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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

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How is the word agitate different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of agitate are convulse, rock, and shake. While all these words mean "to move up and down or to and fro with some violence," agitate suggests a violent and prolonged tossing or stirring.

an ocean agitated by storms

When is it sensible to use convulse instead of agitate?

The words convulse and agitate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, convulse suggests a violent pulling or wrenching as of a body in a paroxysm.

spectators were convulsed with laughter

Where would rock be a reasonable alternative to agitate?

Although the words rock and agitate have much in common, rock suggests a swinging or swaying motion resulting from violent impact or upheaval.

the whole city was rocked by the explosion

When can shake be used instead of agitate?

The meanings of shake and agitate largely overlap; however, shake often carries a further implication of a particular purpose.

shake well before using

Example 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 Repeat steps 3 through 5 anywhere from three to four more times until the water remains clean after submerging and agitating the pillowcase. Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 20 Jan. 2025 Stocks often agitate for lower rates from the Federal Reserve, as easy money tends to feed speculation. Bill Stone, Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025 He was involved in a lot of offense, while also being highly physical and agitating the Swiss team throughout the game. Scott Wheeler, The Athletic, 2 Jan. 2025 With its last vestiges of battery charge, the lander will record the lunar sunset and a phenomenon last observed during the final Apollo mission, in which magnetic forces agitate the regolith across the surface as the sun fades behind the horizon. Josh Dinner, Space.com, 31 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for agitate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for agitate
Verb
  • The arrival in town of Eugene Allerton (Starkey), a young student, stirs William into finally establishing a meaningful connection with someone.
    Denise Petski, Deadline, 18 Feb. 2025
  • That year, the real estate dealings of two ministers, involving government bungalows, also stirred controversy.
    Nicholas Yong, New York Times, 17 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The following story contains graphic language that may disturb some readers.
    Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 16 Feb. 2025
  • Warren called his sister and was disturbed by their short conversation.
    Johnny Dodd, People.com, 15 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • However, the partnership ended in early 2025, just weeks before this heist shook the crypto sphere.
    Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 22 Feb. 2025
  • The inclusion of Alibaba co-founder Jack Ma in a meeting of private enterprise leaders chaired by China's President Xi Jinping this month, and photos of Ma shaking hands with Xi, has further raised investor confidence in Alibaba.
    Harshita Mary Varghese and Casey Hall, USA TODAY, 21 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The survey found that 84% of Black singles discuss STI/STD status before becoming intimate, which is significant considering the pervasiveness of STIs and STDs in the United States.
    Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 22 Feb. 2025
  • Panelists discuss the president’s firing of the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General C. Q. Brown.
    The Editors, The Atlantic, 22 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • He is also bothered that the revenue is going to transit and the toll is not geared solely to curbing traffic.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 20 Feb. 2025
  • Many users never bother to switch to paying in the local currency, even if doing so could save them money.
    Shahar Ziv, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • In sumptuously vibrating chords in the first movement of Schubert’s Fantasy, Olafsson’s touch was a little wetter and more muted, Wang’s percussive and as coolly etched as a polygraph.
    Zachary Woolfe, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2025
  • Even the film’s basic exposition, showing Anna working in Klaus’s household and receiving her fateful instructions from Hansen, is richly suggestive of the turmoil vibrating beneath the orderly domestic surface.
    Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 5 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Officials are also debating possible new homebuilding regulations, including rezoning for lower housing density in especially fire-prone areas, and expediting a set of forthcoming standards for removing debris, flammable vegetation and wooden fences from the perimeters of homes.
    Monica Hunter-Hart, Forbes, 16 Feb. 2025
  • Listen to this article Candidates for Evanston mayor and City Council debated what the next four years, and the next 20 years, should look like in the city at a forum hosted at the former site of Second Church of Christ on Feb. 9.
    Richard Requena, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Such a merger seems exceedingly far from likely, even if Tesla CEO Elon Musk wasn't completely distracted dismantling the federal government and its workforce.
    Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 21 Feb. 2025
  • There's a lot to get distracted by, which is a big part of the fun.
    PCMAG, PCMAG, 20 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Agitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agitate. Accessed 28 Feb. 2025.

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