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
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
Rank-and-file Democrats are mad at their own leaders and increasingly agitating to replace them.
—
Jonathan J. Cooper, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2025
With players agitating for equal treatment and the public asking questions, the NCAA hired a law firm to conduct a gender equity assessment.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 22 Mar. 2025
Trump is also agitated by America's massive trade deficit with China, which came to $263 billion last year.
—Arkansas Online, 11 May 2025
Trump is also agitated by America’s trade deficit with China, which amounted to $263 billion last year.
—Paul Wiseman, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for agitate
Jonathan J. Cooper, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2025
With players agitating for equal treatment and the public asking questions, the NCAA hired a law firm to conduct a gender equity assessment.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 22 Mar. 2025
Trump is also agitated by America's massive trade deficit with China, which came to $263 billion last year.
—Arkansas Online, 11 May 2025
Trump is also agitated by America’s trade deficit with China, which amounted to $263 billion last year.
—Paul Wiseman, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for agitate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for agitate
Verb
-
Leia forms the Resistance Senator Leia Organa discovers a new danger stirring in the galaxy: the First Order.—
Nick Romano,
EW.com,
25 May 2025
-
Transfer onions to a medium bowl and stir in Worcestershire sauce.—
Elizabeth Nelson,
Southern Living,
24 May 2025
Verb
-
Beaches aren’t typically hotspots for these kinds of fossils unless something is disturbing the seafloor nearby and carrying the remains to shore.—
Melissa Cristina Márquez,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2025
-
However, some 3,000 years ago—around the transition from the Bronze Age to the Iron Age—newcomers to the area disturbed the burial site by removing parts of the mound and displacing stones.—
Eli Wizevich,
Smithsonian Magazine,
22 May 2025
Verb
-
In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) shakes hands with North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un (R) after a signing ceremony following their bilateral talks at Kumsusan state residence in Pyongyang, on June 19, 2024.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 May 2025
-
The ban, now on emergency pause by Burroughs, already has shaken some of the world’s brightest thinkers at a school often heralded as a premier global hub of higher learning.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
28 May 2025
Verb
-
But the truth is, many of the most essential life planning tools—like a will, trust or guardianship directive—are rarely discussed or offered at work.—
Cody Barbo,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
-
Rather, Evans says, this viral moment is an opportunity to discuss what is acceptable and what isn't in a relationship.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
29 May 2025
Verb
-
After years of ‘losing culture,’ can the new-look Chicago Bears turn things around on defense? Chicago Bears safety Kevin Byard didn’t bother mincing words.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
27 May 2025
-
Users do have to purchase such gadgets, learn how to utilize them, and put them on their body, however, which are all steps that many folks simply won't bother taking.—
Ben Coxworth,
New Atlas,
26 May 2025
Verb
-
With an electropop base, an irresistible electric bass groove and enveloping harmonies, the song vibrates between what was and what will no longer be.—
Luisa Calle,
Billboard,
23 May 2025
-
The soundtrack is a buffet of rapturous period jazz, some of it silky, some of it vibrating with skittery energy, much like Martial Solal’s score for Breathless itself.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
18 May 2025
Verb
-
In fact, a simple search for side part on TikTok will generate a range of videos debating whether the look is either cheugy or the comeback style of the century.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
24 May 2025
-
Body camera footage obtained by his attorney, Keith Rutman, shows officers debating whether to take him to a nearby psychiatric hospital.—
Kelly Davis,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 May 2025
Verb
-
Growth must reinforce strategy, not distract from it.—
Ayo Adepoju,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
-
But when the pair get to a higher point in order to try to see where the Wolves are/where Tommy might be, Ellie is distracted by a nearby aquarium, which has a giant ferris wheel nearby.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
25 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Agitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agitate. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share