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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Recent Examples of agitator
Chicago and the state must be prepared to crack down on outside agitators who come to the city to incite violence, including applying federal charges and seeking damages from individuals and organizations responsible for violence.
—
Paul Vallas, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2025
Foolish agitators who take advantage of Trump's chaos will be held accountable.
—Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 June 2025
Other protesters with a different agenda, or agitators of any sort, can insert themselves into a movement and use confrontational tactics like violence against property or law enforcement.
—Jeremy Pressman, The Conversation, 15 June 2025
Tensions continued to escalate throughout the evening as agitators began throwing rocks at officers, and one person spat in an officer's eye, according to police.
—Audrey Conklin, FOXNews.com, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for agitator
Paul Vallas, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2025
Foolish agitators who take advantage of Trump's chaos will be held accountable.
—Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 June 2025
Other protesters with a different agenda, or agitators of any sort, can insert themselves into a movement and use confrontational tactics like violence against property or law enforcement.
—Jeremy Pressman, The Conversation, 15 June 2025
Tensions continued to escalate throughout the evening as agitators began throwing rocks at officers, and one person spat in an officer's eye, according to police.
—Audrey Conklin, FOXNews.com, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for agitator
Recent Examples of Synonyms for agitator
Noun
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Israel has stepped up strikes against Syria despite pressure from the US, which has made moves to end the country’s international isolation following the rebel takeover.—
Eyad Kourdi,
CNN Money,
17 July 2025
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The Times of Israel reported that both ships were attacked over a week ago by the rebels as part of their campaign targeting vessels over the war in Gaza.—
Benjamin Weinthal,
FOXNews.com,
17 July 2025
Noun
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At the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Hogan attempted to resurrect his wrestling persona to appease a sea of devoted Trump supporters who were not there to cheer for him.—
John DeVore,
Rolling Stone,
26 July 2025
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Finland, who have not progressed past the Euros’ group stage since 2009, and Wales, making their major tournament debut, each brought thousands of vocal supporters.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
26 July 2025
Noun
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Today a new generation of demagogues claim to be fighting to liberate aggrieved majorities from outsiders’ control.—
Derek R. Peterson,
The Conversation,
18 July 2025
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But today’s leaders, willfully do the biddings of billionaires and backed by demagogues in exchange for power and privilege, are ignoring that call.—
Jared Nordlund,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 July 2025
Noun
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The former wunderkind firebrand is best known for making statements considered by some to be intentionally provocative.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
24 July 2025
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Where to watch: Hulu, Disney+ 'Madea's Destination Wedding' Tyler Perry's don't-call-her-elderly firebrand Madea returns in yet another comedy.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
12 July 2025
Noun
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Real-Life Vince McMahon Confrontation A Confusing Road to Confirmation Concerns for Flair's health first arose in June when his son-in-law, wrestling promoter and podcaster Conrad Thompson, stated that Flair had a cancerous spot removed from his skin.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 July 2025
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However, a new statement from promoters Hardline Media on Friday (July 18) has confirmed the tour will not be going ahead as planned.—
Tyler Jenke,
Billboard,
21 July 2025
Noun
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Volz has been a major proponent of continuing to rely mainly on NOAA operated satellites, while entering into data purchase agreements with private companies as well.—
Andrew Freedman,
CNN Money,
25 July 2025
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But those caps haven’t been updated in more than two decades, and proponents of the policy argue the exemptions haven’t kept up with rising costs.—
Danielle Chemtob,
Forbes.com,
23 July 2025
Noun
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Overshadowing them all was a sea of influencers, content creators and provocateurs, who came out en masse for the trial's verdict Wednesday.—
Matt Lavietes,
NBC news,
3 July 2025
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Deeply distrustful, the protest organizers feared that outside provocateurs would turn peaceful demonstrations ugly.—
Michael Barnes,
Austin American Statesman,
2 July 2025
Noun
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Prosecutors allege that Carvajal played a key role in coordinating large-scale cocaine shipments to the United States, using his official position to protect narcotics operations and facilitate deals with foreign insurgent groups, most notably Colombia’s FARC.—
Antonio Maria Delgado,
Miami Herald,
25 June 2025
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Inside is the man who arrived at Balenciaga as a 34-year old insurgent from Vetements in 2015, and is now moving on, aged 44, as one of the undisputed creative director titans of luxury fashion, charged to revive the flagging fortunes of Gucci.—
Sarah Mower,
Vogue,
24 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Agitator.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agitator. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.
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