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

Relevance
2
3
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

Synonym Chooser

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 The tech migration to Trump began before the election and helped get him to the White House, as entrepreneurs like Musk and David Sacks raised millions for him and used their platforms to agitate for his election and troll Harris. Steven Zeitchik, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Feb. 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for agitate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for agitate
Verb
  • Bring vinegar, water, sugar, salt, and mustard seeds to a boil in a small saucepan over high, stirring often.
    Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 2 Mar. 2025
  • Suffocate them with an ample deluge of water and stir to ensure complete cooling.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 1 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Stay on marked trails, pack all your trash, and respect wildlife (do not feed or disturb them).
    Emese Maczko, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025
  • In his State of the State speech Wednesday, Pritzker argued the current moment has disturbing parallels to the rise of Adolf Hitler in Germany.
    Alex Thompson, Axios, 21 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • What’s a deadline without a head-scratcher to shake things up?
    Shayna Goldman, The Athletic, 6 Mar. 2025
  • George may be wild about her, but his trust in her is shaken.
    Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 6 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Meghan Markle will never win over UK public again, author claims Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine and author of My Mother and I, discusses how the Duchess of Sussex isnt going to be welcomed back across the pond anytime soon following her royal exit.
    Stephanie Giang-Paunon, Fox News, 6 Mar. 2025
  • The leaders will also discuss whether to place more arms contracts with Ukraine's defense industry, and to help integrate it into the European industrial network.
    arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 6 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Gathering at Scripps Research’s third annual Pandemic Preparedness Symposium last week, researchers working in virology and chemistry did not bother to debate whether or not H5N1 avian influenza will clear this rapidly shrinking hurdle.
    Paul Sisson, The Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2025
  • As Caro settled into life in a new country, one thing often bothered him.
    Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 28 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
  • Think pop-up shops, spice blending, and casually debating the best way to season a brisket.
    Lanee Lee, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025
  • The science on transgender procedures, including hormone replacement and surgery, is hotly debated.
    Brady Knox, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 1 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Have we been distracted too much by all the verbal fireworks this season from CK, Phillip, and Seychelle to notice that Lete is an absolute assassin out there?
    Dalton Ross, EW.com, 5 Mar. 2025
  • Grave screamed for help, but security personnel were distracted by the game and not paying attention, the lawsuit said.
    Louis Casiano, Fox News, 4 Mar. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Agitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agitate. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on agitate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!