as in rebel
a person who stirs up public feelings especially of discontent
a political agitator who led an unsuccessful revolt against the government
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 agitator
The majority of speakers at Tuesday’s board meeting urged the board not to allow online agitators to dictate personnel decisions.
—
Ciara McCarthy 24,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 June 2026
In recent years, agitators have fueled anti-immigration street violence following crimes committed by, or falsely reported to have been committed by, immigrants.
—
ABC News,
23 June 2026
To clean the filter, locate it (either in the center agitator, in the drum’s top lip, behind a trap door on the front of the machine, or near the water pump or drainage hose).
—
Jolie Kerr,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 June 2026
Gaetz was the chief agitator among a group of six far-right Republicans intent on keeping McCarthy from the gavel.
—
Zak Hudak,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for agitator
Ciara McCarthy 24,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 June 2026
In recent years, agitators have fueled anti-immigration street violence following crimes committed by, or falsely reported to have been committed by, immigrants.
—
ABC News,
23 June 2026
To clean the filter, locate it (either in the center agitator, in the drum’s top lip, behind a trap door on the front of the machine, or near the water pump or drainage hose).
—
Jolie Kerr,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 June 2026
Gaetz was the chief agitator among a group of six far-right Republicans intent on keeping McCarthy from the gavel.
—
Zak Hudak,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for agitator
Recent Examples of Synonyms for agitator
Noun
-
Gillespie also has a reputation for melding music to movies, as seen in Cruella, his 2021 movie that cast Disney villainess Cruella de Vil as a punk rock rebel in London’s fashion scene.
-
The winner is the daughter of the late Alberto Fujimori, the former president whose government in the 1990s defeated the Shining Path extremist rebel group but also took an authoritarian turn.
Noun
-
To his supporters, Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was the steadfast, fearless leader who transcended mere politics and inspired devotion.
-
Hundreds of supporters gathered to cheer her arrival after nearly a month and a half at sea.
Noun
-
The Constitution was crafted out of fear — fear of concentrated power, factional dominance, corruption, demagogues, unchecked executives, and the use of public office for personal gain.
-
But those standards can be easily stretched by demagogues, and a simple majority on the committee is enough to ban a party, though a panel of nine Supreme Court justices can overturn the decision on appeal.
Noun
-
The Bongino Report, the website of the right-wing firebrand who would eventually serve a brief term as deputy director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, claimed that Check My Ads was violating tax rules.
-
Now, the right-wing firebrand has managed to win the backing of at least four billionaires as of May 6, according to the latest available election data—including the CEO and cofounder of Kalshi.
Noun
-
As genetics, psychology, and neuroscience ascended, the twentieth century sent physiognomy back into disrepute, and today, from Lavater to Lombroso, its promoters may seem a racist shade of quaint.
-
During The Huns’ audition at the Cellar, Nugent was standing next to club owner/promoter Paul Sampson, who was skeptical of the group’s Catholic schoolboy looks — braces, short haircuts and all.
Noun
-
Stream-access proponents took a similar approach in 2010, after a landowner on the Taylor River strung cables from bank to bank to keep a rafting company from floating down.
-
There isn't time for proponents to get a new measure on this year's ballot and state law requires any measures brought in odd years be limited to questions related to the Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR).
Noun
-
The Onion is pressing ahead with its takeover of InfoWars, the conspiracy-laden media empire formerly owned by far-right provocateur Alex Jones.
-
The height of her popularity came during her 12-year relationship with French provocateur Serge Gainsbourg.
Noun
-
Gray is endorsed by Kansas City’s branch of the Democratic Socialists of America, and represents the insurgent left flank of the Democratic Party in the race.
-
Out went what was left of country-club Republicanism; in came the Fifth Avenue insurgent and his MAGA hordes.
Cite this Entry
“Agitator.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agitator. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
