agitate

verb

ˈa-jə-ˌtāt How to pronounce agitate (audio)
Definition of agitatenext
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
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

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 Immerse your berries in the water and gently agitate them. —Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 29 Jan. 2026 Robertson has not agitated for a move and showcased his professionalism with his performance as a half-time substitute in Liverpool’s 3-2 defeat by Bournemouth on Saturday. —James Pearce, New York Times, 25 Jan. 2026 Why cold water makes such a big difference Most washers don’t use much more electricity to agitate or spin a load. —Ascend Agency, New York Daily News, 23 Jan. 2026 This agitates me and my lead foot. —Matt Fuchs, Time, 20 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for agitate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for agitate
  1. stir
  2. disturb
  3. shake
  4. discuss
  5. bother
  6. vibrate
  7. debate
  8. distract
Verb
  • But recent incidents involving the driverless cars have stirred controversy.
    — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 5 Feb. 2026
  • Your 6th House of Labor hosts mental Mercury, which squares rebellious Uranus in your 9th House of Journeys, stirring tension between tradition and modernization.
    — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 5 Feb. 2026
Definition of stir
Verb
  • Mist the soil instead of overhead watering, which can disturb the seeds.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 14 Feb. 2026
  • Managing the genetic health of such a small population is essential for the species’ long-term viability, and the hair-collection method offers a noninvasive way to gather vital data without disturbing the wombats in their burrows.
    — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of disturb
Verb
  • In recent editions, the rosters were drafted by James, Durant and Antetokounmpo in an attempt to shake things up.
    — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Jothan saw us and shook our hands, as did Michael Ray, but Sun Ra scuffled by with an air of depthless blankness.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of shake
Verb
  • Meanwhile, senior leaders at Arizona State University were quietly hosting 30 leaders from Korean technical colleges to discuss how the United States might learn from their success in developing an AI-ready workforce.
    — David Ignatius, Washington Post, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Neither Iran nor Oman offered any details on what had been discussed in Larijani's meetings.
    — JON GAMBRELL THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, Arkansas Online, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of discuss
Verb
  • Andrew Musgrave crossed the finish line in cross-country skiing today in a tank top, and the cold didn’t seem to bother him one bit.
    — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 13 Feb. 2026
  • My damp clothes didn’t bother either one of us.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of bother
Verb
  • Even traditional luxury hotels advertise all types of ancient and modern elixirs, from Ayurvedic nutrition plans and chakra-cleansing crystal massages to vibrating mattress pads for lymphatic drainage.
    — Hannah Towey, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Feb. 2026
  • My music vibrates strings in there that never moved before.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of vibrate
Verb
  • Policymakers are interested too, debating whether public policy and taxpayer money should be used to propel off-site construction from niche application to a regular, if not dominant, feature of the industry.
    — Ben Christopher, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026
  • While many countries still debate how electric air travel should work, China is already laying the foundation.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 14 Feb. 2026
Definition of debate
Verb
  • They were seen by the clergy, for example, to be distracted by chocolate, drinking it and gossiping instead of paying attention to mass.
    — Dana Taylor, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
  • State transportation officials argued that street art is distracting and can pose a risk to drivers.
    — Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of distract

Browse Nearby Words

agita
agitate
agitated
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Cite this Entry

“Agitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agitate. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of agitate for Spanish Speakers

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