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
Examples 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
Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Oct. 2024
The display of bioluminescence, created when a type of algae is agitated, is difficult to forecast, but over the last nine days, Californians have shared videos and photos of the phenomenon from San Diego to Point Mugu and several other locations in between.
—Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2024
Cara Lynn Shultz, Peoplemag, 26 Sep. 2024
Pacing in a state of agitation, its flanks heave with every breath and its mouth drips with saliva.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for agitate 
Verb
Use your clean hands to gently agitate the berries to ensure all pieces and sides are washed.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Oct. 2024
The display of bioluminescence, created when a type of algae is agitated, is difficult to forecast, but over the last nine days, Californians have shared videos and photos of the phenomenon from San Diego to Point Mugu and several other locations in between.
—Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2024
Noun
For more about caring for Alzheimer's dementia patients with agitation, visit RecognizeAlzheimersAgitation.com.
—Cara Lynn Shultz, Peoplemag, 26 Sep. 2024
Pacing in a state of agitation, its flanks heave with every breath and its mouth drips with saliva.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for agitate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for agitate
Verb
-
Instructions Step 1 In a medium bowl, stir together 1½ teaspoons of the vegetable oil, 1 tablespoon of the soy sauce, the wine, ½ teaspoon of the sugar, and the cornstarch.Lois Goh, Saveur, 13 Nov. 2024
-
Coarsely chop onions and stir into mixture, adding all the pan juices.Cathy Thomas, Orange County Register, 11 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
The photos, not graphic but disturbing all the same, were allegedly taken at the scene of the Delphi murders — the double homicide of two best friends, Abigail Williams, 13, and Liberty German, 14, in rural Delphi, Indiana, in 2017.Aja Romano, Vox, 11 Nov. 2024
-
The skit started with the actors seeming disturbed.Dennis Romero, NBC News, 10 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
Over the next few years, a plague of disorder will descend upon America, and maybe the world, shaking everything loose.David Brooks, The Mercury News, 9 Nov. 2024
-
Maybe that’s why World Cups end with the two teams shaking hands, one offering congratulations and the other condolences, and elections don’t.Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
Skidmore College psychologist Sheldon Solomon discusses Ernest Becker’s ‘The Denial of Death’ and terror management theory in the context of humanity’s history of brutal behavior.Discover Magazine, Discover Magazine, 8 Nov. 2024
-
Webster Financial Corporation's report discusses various financial metrics, including a return on average assets of 1.01% and a return on average tangible common stockholders' equity of 14.29%.Quartz Bot, Quartz, 8 Nov. 2024
Noun
-
But the political world was thrown into a frenzy over the weekend for one poll: the Des Moines Register’s final Iowa poll before the election.Rebecca Morin, USA TODAY, 4 Nov. 2024
-
Just moments later, the arena lights flickered, sending the Cleveland crowd into a frenzy.Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024
Noun
-
Psychiatric problems — marked anxiety or panic attacks progressing to temporary psychosis and even schizophrenia-like psychotic illness — are presenting more frequently in emergency rooms.Dr. Jerrold B. Leikin, The Mercury News, 12 Nov. 2024
-
Climate Denial as a Defense Mechanism Much like a terror management lab experiment – or the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic– natural disasters like hurricanes Helene and Milton trigger death anxiety.Discover Magazine, Discover Magazine, 8 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
Jeff Beal, owner of the Cigar Vault, said the business uses a ventilation system that recycles the air, so patrons of nearby businesses should not be bothered by the cigar smoke.Rachel Royster, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
-
They cannot be bothered with solving the day-to-day needs-to-survive of their charges.Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
Their windows and tools in their garage often vibrate with the hum of machinery at the nearby well pad.Sean Keane, ABC News, 5 Nov. 2024
-
Silicone brushes are the safest to use but may not give you as deep of a clean as a vibrating brush.Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 15 Oct. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near agitate
Cite this Entry
“Agitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agitate. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share