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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of agitate
Mike Burbach, Twin Cities, 15 Aug. 2025
As the moon agitates Venus, a promise is broken, or feelings are disregarded.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2025
Wes Kilgore, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Severe symptoms start to appear within two weeks of initial onset and can include anxiety, confusion, agitation, and hallucinations.
—Owen Clarke, Outside, 14 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for agitate
Verb
And Leo’s embrace of Francis’ progressive views, including his embrace of immigrants, will surely agitate the conservative American Catholics who rebelled against Francis.
—Mike Burbach, Twin Cities, 15 Aug. 2025
As the moon agitates Venus, a promise is broken, or feelings are disregarded.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2025
Noun
Though still emerging, research indicates these devices may offer emotional benefits, reducing loneliness and agitation among hospice patients.
—Wes Kilgore, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Severe symptoms start to appear within two weeks of initial onset and can include anxiety, confusion, agitation, and hallucinations.
—Owen Clarke, Outside, 14 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for agitate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for agitate
Verb
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Among them were Julia Roberts and Sean Penn, who served as hosts for a special reception and screening of director Marianna Brennand’s stirring narrative feature Manas.—
Stacey Wilson Hunt,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Sep. 2025
-
That rich color, the soft texture of the suède, stirred in me all the promise of autumn, of a new school year, of a chance to have instead of to want—in other words, to finally be.—
Rachel Kushner,
New Yorker,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
There’s a certain freedom not having social media available from your app launcher, knowing you won’t get disturbed on this device, but are still able to sit back with a good book, some light jazz, and… not much else.—
Ewan Spence,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Unfollow accounts that regularly share disturbing images.—
Annie Margaret,
The Conversation,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Kam Shanks could not shake Ole Miss' punt coverage team and Arkansas will start its first drive of the second half from the 9.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Sep. 2025
-
As Emmy celebrations peppered the town on Saturday night, a starkly differently occasion left attendees shaken, tearful and reminded of the immersive power of cinema.—
Stacey Wilson Hunt,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
For instance, Charles Kuck, an adjunct professor of law at Emory and immigration law firm partner, appeared on CGTN earlier this month to discuss the effect of deportations on the job market.—
Robert Schmad,
The Washington Examiner,
17 Sep. 2025
-
China’s top leaders are scheduled to meet in October to discuss development goals for 2026 to 2030.—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Advertisement Buyback frenzy — But plenty of companies are profiting like crazy off the AI boom—so why has Ellison profited so uniquely enormously?—
Andrew R. Chow,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
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While earlier incidents against Jewish sites, coming amid the backlash over the soaring death toll in Israel’s conflict in Gaza, sparked a media frenzy around this particularly act of brazen antisemitism, the pigs’ heads did not have the same effect.—
Saskya Vandoorne,
CNN Money,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Add in the possibility of more extensive – and costly – work such as bridges, crowns, extractions or implants, and the anxiety can grow even stronger.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
13 Sep. 2025
-
The enthusiasm around personal curriculums and independent learning might reflect modern-day anxieties.—
Harmeet Kaur,
CNN Money,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The women were too busy cooking, crafting, and caring for the family to bother with the stone tools used by men in hunting and building.—
Sarah Durn,
Popular Science,
11 Sep. 2025
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Why ban books, Postman asked, if no one bothers to read them?—
Time,
Time,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Microneedling is a treatment that uses thin, vibrating needles to puncture your skin.—
Carley Millhone,
Health,
9 Sep. 2025
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As internal organs make sounds, the diaphragm begins to vibrate.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Agitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agitate. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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