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
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
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
Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Gentle simmering and minimal agitation help preserve their structure.
—Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for agitate
Verb
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
Noun
Marcos briefly suspended habeas corpus and blamed his sclerotic economy on the agitations of leftist rebels, students, journalists, and preachers.
—Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Gentle simmering and minimal agitation help preserve their structure.
—Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for agitate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for agitate
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
Verb
-
With their special technology, the cameras can take high-quality videos of animals at night without disturbing them.—
Charles Seabrook,
AJC.com,
7 Feb. 2026
-
That the president remains fixated on this conspiracy theory, rather than tending to his job as the leader of the most powerful institution on the planet, should disturb anyone who wants America to remain a free and prosperous nation.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
7 Feb. 2026
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
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
Noun
-
Among the frenzy of videos promoting healthier diets, marathon running, and sobriety, one trend catching on with young people—ironically on social media—is the idea of a digital detox, taking time away from our phone’s most addictive apps to improve everything from sleep to focus.—
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez,
Fortune,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Then a frenzy as all the players rifled through their music.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Our cousins just over the border in Wisconsin kept up a steady stream of taunts, trash-talking the Bears and causing us all a lot of anxiety as the minutes ticked by.—
Erendira Rendon,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Experts say exercise during pregnancy and after birth can help lower anxiety, improve sleep, and boost your mood.—
Hannah Silverman,
Parents,
8 Feb. 2026
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
Verb
-
My car vibrates at 50 miles per hour and higher.—
John Paul,
The Providence Journal,
7 Feb. 2026
-
His photographs vibrate with the excess of their ornamentation, with an audacity of presence that exceeds the realm of the emblematic.—
Zoë Hopkins,
New Yorker,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Agitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agitate. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
