as in rebel
a person who stirs up public feelings especially of discontent
a political agitator who led an unsuccessful revolt against the government
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of agitator
Officials said the curfew was necessary to stop vandalism and theft by agitators looking to cause trouble.
—
Jake Offenhartz, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2025
Though polar opposites, together, Leonard and Bitchy have seen it all; the gruff Bitchy serves as the play’s agitator, pitting him opposite Leonard, the conscience and Greek chorus.
—Duante Beddingfield, Freep.com, 30 July 2025
Some were even attacked by white agitators, but they had been taught not to fight back.
—Dwight Lewis, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
Unlike other agitators, though, their lessons would focus on characters and choreography — their future weapons, songs and sequins.
—David MacK, Rolling Stone, 22 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for agitator
Jake Offenhartz, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2025
Though polar opposites, together, Leonard and Bitchy have seen it all; the gruff Bitchy serves as the play’s agitator, pitting him opposite Leonard, the conscience and Greek chorus.
—Duante Beddingfield, Freep.com, 30 July 2025
Some were even attacked by white agitators, but they had been taught not to fight back.
—Dwight Lewis, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
Unlike other agitators, though, their lessons would focus on characters and choreography — their future weapons, songs and sequins.
—David MacK, Rolling Stone, 22 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for agitator
Recent Examples of Synonyms for agitator
Noun
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Adapted from Chinese folklore, the film follows a boy named Ne Zha (Crystal Lee) who is born with demon-like powers and rebels against his hawk-eyed, human parents Lady Yin and Li Jing (Vincent Rodriguez III).—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
22 Aug. 2025
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Since January, thousands were killed and hundreds of thousands were displaced in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in the fighting between M23 rebels and the Congolese army.—
Jean Kaseya,
Time,
20 Aug. 2025
Noun
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His supporters have pushed back on the Republican administration's attempt to close the book on Epstein after Trump and his backers helped to heighten expectations of blockbuster revelations.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
1 Sep. 2025
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That earned him an incredible list of clients and supporters who trust him and continue to champion his work.—
Margot Machol Bisnow,
Forbes.com,
31 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The beneficiaries of this trend are tyrants, demagogues, and other power-wielders.—
Foreign Affairs,
Foreign Affairs,
19 Aug. 2025
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Because huge shocks to the system tend to empower either a) bold problem solvers or b) populist demagogues.—
Matt K. Lewis,
Twin Cities,
19 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Most frequently, the audience experienced Young tap his inner firebrand.—
Bob Gendron,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Aug. 2025
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Hong Kong — The judges in the trial of Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai on Thursday retired to consider their verdict on three national security charges that could see the 77-year-old pro-democracy firebrand jailed for life.—
Chris Lau,
CNN Money,
28 Aug. 2025
Noun
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BookMyShow Live, the live entertainment division of India’s leading entertainment platform BookMyShow, serves as promoter and co-producer alongside global producers Perry Farrell and C3 Presents.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
29 Aug. 2025
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Police met with promoter Jamal Williams at Ellington days before the event was scheduled to take place and asked him to call it off, Ald.—
Caroline Kubzansky,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Aug. 2025
Noun
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What’s at stake: Cashless bail proponents have argued in D.C. and other major cities across the country that cash requirements disproportionately harm low-income offenders who cannot afford to post bond.—
Elizabeth Crisp,
The Hill,
25 Aug. 2025
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As more power-hungry data centers come online, the ability of geothermal heating and cooling to reduce the energy needs of other users of the grid, particularly at periods of peak demand, could become increasingly important, geothermal proponents say.—
Jonathan M. Gitlin,
ArsTechnica,
21 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The series was launched in September 2024 with conservative provocateur and Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk taking on 25 liberal college students.—
Jennifer Zhan,
Vulture,
22 July 2025
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And the teenage provocateur made no secret of that revulsion, loudly belittling his fellow students.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 July 2025
Noun
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But as the threat of insurgents has receded abroad, the Trump administration has brought these tactics home.—
Time,
Time,
8 Aug. 2025
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On the one hand, there is the prospect of insurgents who can field swarms of armed drones.—
Dexter Filkins,
New Yorker,
14 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Agitator.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agitator. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.
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