as in uneasy
marked by or causing agitation or uncomfortable feelings
no more agitating waits to find out sports scores—get them instantly online!
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
as in bothering
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 shaking
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 discussing
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
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Recent Examples of agitating
Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
This is why experts recommend vacuuming in different directions and thoroughly agitating the carpet piles.
—Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Feb. 2026
With its ethnic and regional diversity, and with some groups openly agitating for separation, the risk of fragmentation is a distinct possibility.
—Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 16 Jan. 2026
Lululemon Athletica founder Chip Wilson has been agitating for change, and the outspoken critic now has activist investor Elliott Investment Management weighing in on a potential chief executive officer candidate.
—Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 18 Dec. 2025
Washing machines take care of that with their tumbling or agitating action.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 27 Nov. 2025
Among those agitating for Davie’s head was Boris Johnson, the former British PM who ultimately signed off on Gibb’s appointment to the BBC board.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 11 Nov. 2025
Marchand built his reputation as an agitating, scrappy forward who knows how to get under the opponent’s skin while also producing on the scoresheet and was named captain ahead of the 2023-24 season, succeeding Patrice Bergeron for the role.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2025
What is the best way to investigate a spirit without agitating it?
—Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
The dollar rallied, even though Warsh has been agitating for more rate cuts, which tend to undermine the dollar’s value.
—Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
This is why experts recommend vacuuming in different directions and thoroughly agitating the carpet piles.
—Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Feb. 2026
With its ethnic and regional diversity, and with some groups openly agitating for separation, the risk of fragmentation is a distinct possibility.
—Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 16 Jan. 2026
Lululemon Athletica founder Chip Wilson has been agitating for change, and the outspoken critic now has activist investor Elliott Investment Management weighing in on a potential chief executive officer candidate.
—Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 18 Dec. 2025
Washing machines take care of that with their tumbling or agitating action.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 27 Nov. 2025
Among those agitating for Davie’s head was Boris Johnson, the former British PM who ultimately signed off on Gibb’s appointment to the BBC board.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 11 Nov. 2025
Marchand built his reputation as an agitating, scrappy forward who knows how to get under the opponent’s skin while also producing on the scoresheet and was named captain ahead of the 2023-24 season, succeeding Patrice Bergeron for the role.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2025
What is the best way to investigate a spirit without agitating it?
—Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 10 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for agitating
Adjective
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Stage’s version translates the already uneasy feelings of hearing acid house reduced to happy-go-lucky plastic into something out of an actual acid trip.—
Billie Bugara,
Pitchfork,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Bashar is on the left, his body slightly angled away, his face uneasy.—
Robert F. Worth,
The Atlantic,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are on their way to tender (but not yet falling apart), 8 to 10 minutes.—
Holly Riordan,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 Feb. 2026
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Another method for cleaning silver involves filling an aluminum pan with hot water, salt, and baking soda, stirring until dissolved, and then soaking the pieces until a chemical reaction occurs that removes the tarnish.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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One Florida resident reportedly hired a local mover without bothering to determine if the company was licensed, only to run into a boatload of trouble.—
Lew Sichelman,
Miami Herald,
5 Feb. 2026
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If your knee is bothering you, for instance, the vibration might distract your brain enough for the pain to temporarily retreat.—
Jennifer Heimlich,
Time,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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This new #earthquake shaking potential map from the California Geological Survey highlights the distribution of shaking hazard across #California.—
Graham Womack,
Sacbee.com,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Her legs were physically shaking in her beginning pose.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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After all, the story is so endlessly compelling that people are still discussing and dissecting it 200 years later.—
Angelique Jackson,
Variety,
13 Feb. 2026
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Some of the emails exchanged between Epstein and Tisch appeared to show the two discussing women, in one instance in a rather explicit manner.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
12 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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But the extent of our housing affordability crisis is more disturbing than ever before.—
Margi Glavovic Nothard,
Sun Sentinel,
15 Feb. 2026
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Beginning with a montage of news footage from the day — the notorious May 1985 European Cup final between Italian club Juventus and English rivals Liverpool — the film’s open text informs viewers, or rather warns them, that disturbing historical images may follow.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Gas and dust swirling around a black hole block visible light, but infrared light can punch right through.—
Paul Sutter,
Space.com,
11 Feb. 2026
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Even so, rumors have begun swirling that the rapper has gotten back together with his ex-girlfriend Gabriela Berlingeri.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Glamour,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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To match the child actor who plays young Neil, Levitt wears blue contacts over his naturally brown eyes, which aren’t nearly as distracting in this pass.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
10 Feb. 2026
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Next, a Route 66 sign appears briefly along the periphery, surrounded by additional distracting road signs.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Agitating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agitating. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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