agitated 1 of 2

adjective

ˈa-jə-ˌtā-təd How to pronounce agitated (audio)
Definition of agitatednext
1
as in excited
being in a state of increased activity or agitation all ferry crossings were cancelled because of the agitated waters around the islands

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in distraught
feeling overwhelming fear or worry by the time they finally showed up, long after midnight, we'd become so agitated that we never did get to sleep that night

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

agitated

2 of 2

verb

past tense of agitate
1
as in stirred
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

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2
as in alarmed
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy there's no need to agitate the patient about little things

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in shook
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

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4
as in discussed
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

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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 agitated
Adjective
Zaitsev allegedly became agitated while the agents walked him through a hallway. — City News Service, Orange County Register, 26 Feb. 2025 Although Allen is best known for promulgating a certain set of character types in his classic films, his own bookish worrywart or Diane Keaton’s moodily anxious beauty, he also must be credited for seeing the comic possibilities of the altogether less agitated and more grounded Roberts. — Peter Tonguette, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Feb. 2025 Sid looks even more agitated + flinchy than usual, as if, in addition to expecting to be referred to as hick for his country ways, is also expecting to be called liar, be banned forever from premises. — George Saunders, The Atlantic, 14 Feb. 2025 Initial meetings should be supervised, and if the elder dog is becoming agitated, they should be separated or distracted before trying again later. — Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for agitated
Recent Examples of Synonyms for agitated
  1. excited
  2. distraught
  3. stirred
  4. shook
  5. discussed
  6. heated
  7. worried
  8. disturbed
Adjective
  • March Madness is here and fans are excited to watch one of the more popular events of the sports calendar year.
    — Mark Davis, Newsweek, 16 Mar. 2025
  • While some locals are excited to gossip about the church, others are much more tight-lipped.
    — Guthrie Scrimgeour, Rolling Stone, 16 Mar. 2025
Definition of excited
Adjective
  • The victim’s parents were too distraught to speak to reporters Wednesday.
    — Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 13 Mar. 2025
  • At the start of court Wednesday, a visibly distraught Lopes had a sidebar with White and prosecutors; following that meeting, White cleared the courtroom.
    — Jakob Rodgers, The Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2025
Definition of distraught
Verb
  • This move has stirred controversy and concern amongst community leaders in New Orleans, a city with a historically high homicide rate.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 2 Jan. 2025
  • The presence of these encampments stirred a debate about free speech — and what universities should and should not permit on campuses — that continued in our section well after students went home for the summer.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 30 Dec. 2024
Definition of stirred
Verb
  • Richard Arnold, the chief executive whose departure had already been announced, went round the room and shook everyone’s hand, expressing his belief the future at United would be bright.
    — Adam Crafton, The Athletic, 23 Dec. 2024
  • The camera then cut to Johansson, who shook her head while grimacing.
    — Toria Sheffield, People.com, 22 Dec. 2024
Definition of shook
Verb
  • Yes, Rupert Murdoch lost an epic courtroom battle with his kids over his media empire (during which actual Succession plot lines were discussed), but the Fox News mogul also suffered a rare defeat in TV news.
    — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 24 Dec. 2024
  • Victories like the one over Manchester City – a performance discussed at length in this previous column – have been all too rare, with the team picking up too many draws and too many injuries.
    — Adam Digby, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
Definition of discussed
Adjective
  • Soon after that heated exchange, the Trump administration froze military aid and intelligence to Ukraine.
    — Eleanor Beardsley, NPR, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Listen to this article A protester punched by a Chicago police officer at a heated 2020 demonstration is now in line to get a $280,000 settlement from the city.
    — Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of heated
Adjective
  • About 47 million people faced an enhanced to moderate severe storm threat from Madison, Wis., to Birmingham, Ala. Forecasters grew increasingly worried that intense thunderstorms farther south will likely bring an even greater tornado threat Saturday.
    — Sean Murphy and Russ Bynum, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2025
  • American visitors are worried about the impacts of job cuts in the region, which relies heavily on the millions of tourists who visit Arches and Canyonlands national parks.
    — Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of worried
Verb
  • Plants with vining stems or long tap roots can be difficult to transplant and other plants simply don’t like to have their roots disturbed after planting.
    — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Jan. 2025
  • The relationship quickly unearthed something that disturbed him.
    — Joshua Kaplan, ProPublica, 4 Jan. 2025
Definition of disturbed

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Cite this Entry

“Agitated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agitated. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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