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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of agitate
Moriah Mason, Southern Living, 10 Jan. 2025
Using your fingers, lightly agitate the seeds to loosen them from the membrane.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Jan. 2025
Jodie Cook, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
Deterioration from rabies can often bring unbearable brain dysfunctions such as anxiety, confusion, agitation and hallucinations, the CDC says.
—David K. Li, NBC News, 3 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for agitate 
Verb
Then agitate the rug for a few minutes to remove any leftover debris.
—Moriah Mason, Southern Living, 10 Jan. 2025
Using your fingers, lightly agitate the seeds to loosen them from the membrane.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Jan. 2025
Noun
Outline 3 emails, following a problem, agitation, solution series, that take subscribers from interested to ready to buy, using sales psychology and email marketing best practice.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
Deterioration from rabies can often bring unbearable brain dysfunctions such as anxiety, confusion, agitation and hallucinations, the CDC says.
—David K. Li, NBC News, 3 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for agitate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for agitate
Verb
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The latest catastrophe has stirred particular concern over whether Los Angeles can manage the twin tasks of rebuilding while hosting the Olympics in 2028.—
Adam Nagourney,
New York Times,
24 Jan. 2025
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Add remaining cornstarch mixture and cook, stirring, until sauce boils and thickens. 6.—
Philip Potempa,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Do not use strong perfumes or colognes, which can disturb the experience for others.—
Cory Martin,
Verywell Health,
23 Jan. 2025
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The show is a display of staged orderly chaos, models walking across a hilly, grassy arena, crossing in and out around the little knolls, never disturbing or interrupting each other’s paths.—
Aamina Inayat Khan,
StyleCaster,
21 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Venus will conjunct Saturn in Pisces — shaking your expansive ninth house of adventure, wisdom and belief systems — presenting you with a chance to harness your intuition and emotional intelligence to create a practical plan.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
17 Jan. 2025
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Back then, a nearly 3% devaluation shook markets everywhere.—
William Pesek,
Forbes,
17 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Three board members discussed a plan to split the district during a closed meeting in December, according to two trustees, but the plan did not become public until last week, when a Fort Worth city council member spoke out about the proposal.—
Cody Copeland and,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 Jan. 2025
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Over Zoom, Yost discussed the shocking finale, including three major scenes at the very end, the especially surprising final sequence that could change everything, and what to expect from Season 3.—
Barry Levitt,
TIME,
17 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The First Lady arrived at Trump’s second inauguration wearing an outfit that sent social media into a frenzy, with many making comparisons to the character Carmen Sandiego.—
James Hibberd,
The Hollywood Reporter,
20 Jan. 2025
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While sales were largely muted for most of the year, cheaper borrowing costs sparked a year-end buying frenzy in November.—
Jonathan Burgos,
Forbes,
19 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The situation caused Campbell a lot of anxiety, but became a pivotal shift in her perspective.—
Kait Hanson,
Glamour,
18 Jan. 2025
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Then the widespread anxiety spurred by a wave of high-profile robberies and the deadly home-invasion of Jacqueline Avant.—
Gary Baum,
The Hollywood Reporter,
18 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Theresa’s nose has been bothering her and one of her children has asthma.—
Simmone Shah,
TIME,
26 Jan. 2025
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Ludvig Aberg, who shared the second-round lead with Griffin, was bothered by illness throughout the round.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Jan. 2025
Verb
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It’s composed of rows of TV monitors arranged into a grid (à la Minimalism) and displaying undulating black-and-white patterns that appear to vibrate (à la Op).—
Alex Greenberger,
ARTnews.com,
6 Jan. 2025
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In another breakthrough, researchers built an ultra-sensitive microphone informed by spider silk, which vibrates with the subtle perturbations of sound waves moving through the air.—
Carlyn Kranking,
Smithsonian Magazine,
31 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near agitate
Cite this Entry
“Agitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agitate. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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