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
Several of the demonstrations erupted into riots after an anti-immigrant misinformation campaign stoked outrage and far-right agitators targeted hotels housing asylum-seekers.
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Lauren Kent, CNN, 29 Oct. 2024
Ever the agitator for his ideals, the elusive and mercurial Goldman throws his own trial into chaos, risking a death sentence.
—Linda Chase, Sun Sentinel, 14 Sep. 2024
The posts linked a global network of agitators who have seized on the influx of migrants seeking political asylum or economic opportunity to build seething followings online.
—Steven Lee Myers, New York Times, 10 Aug. 2024
Spanish media reported earlier in the week anti-Israel agitators would protest outside the stadium where the match was being played, targeting the club and its fans.
—Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 8 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for agitator 
Lauren Kent, CNN, 29 Oct. 2024
Ever the agitator for his ideals, the elusive and mercurial Goldman throws his own trial into chaos, risking a death sentence.
—Linda Chase, Sun Sentinel, 14 Sep. 2024
The posts linked a global network of agitators who have seized on the influx of migrants seeking political asylum or economic opportunity to build seething followings online.
—Steven Lee Myers, New York Times, 10 Aug. 2024
Spanish media reported earlier in the week anti-Israel agitators would protest outside the stadium where the match was being played, targeting the club and its fans.
—Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 8 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for agitator
Recent Examples of Synonyms for agitator
Noun
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What's New On Friday 170 House Republicans joined Democrats to approve an emergency funding bill just hours before a partial government shutdown was due to go into effect, despite President-elect Donald Trump's threat to oust any rebels.Gord Magill, Newsweek, 21 Dec. 2024
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Over the years, there have also been news reports of Syrian rebels being treated in Israeli hospitals.Lauren Frayer, NPR, 20 Dec. 2024
Noun
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This happened right in front of the away supporters who cheered and Spence then whipped his arms up asking for more noise.Jay Harris, The Athletic, 16 Dec. 2024
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But one big question many senators will likely ask is how Kennedy plans to turn around America's eating habits in a way that doesn't hurt U.S. farmers or heavily regulate agricultural businesses that are key political supporters of President-elect Donald Trump.Anne Flaherty, ABC News, 16 Dec. 2024
Noun
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So when a demagogue like Trump speaks to her pain and promises to bring factories back, of course her heart leaps.Nicholas Kristof, The Mercury News, 4 Sep. 2024
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As a result, the very outcome the founders most feared, namely election of a demagogue by a gullible cult of true-believers, has been made possible because of the Electoral College, which was originally designed to avoid precisely that outcome.Joseph J. Ellis, The Mercury News, 31 Oct. 2024
Noun
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Though the allegations have followed Gaetz for years, the committee’s report marks a first public finding of fault against the former firebrand congressman and loyalist to President-elect Donald Trump.Steven Lemongello, Orlando Sentinel, 23 Dec. 2024
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The legal action could be the final battle for Gaetz in the years-long investigation into the firebrand Republican.Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 23 Dec. 2024
Noun
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On top of being a major promoter of online sports betting, Portnoy, 47, is considered to be one of the pizza world’s biggest influencers.Dan Belson, Baltimore Sun, 26 Dec. 2024
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While the judges clearly scored the Usyk vs. Fury 2 fight for the Ukrainian competitor, Frank Warren, the head of Queensberry Promotions, and Fury’s promoter, thought the fight should have gone the other way.Trent Reinsmith, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Noun
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And, unlike financial commitments made at the UN climate conference, this decision would put rules in place that proponents say would be hard for the incoming Trump administration to undo.Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 13 Dec. 2024
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In 2023, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals sided with the opponents, halting the project, but proponents petitioned the Supreme Court to review that decision.Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024
Noun
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But an array of far-right provocateurs, from Andrew Tate to Tommy Robinson (the latter the founder of the now-defunct English Defence League), started blaming undocumented immigrants or linking the attacks to Islam.Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 18 Dec. 2024
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Although he’s always been a divisive figure, the author is now seen less as a provocateur and more as an out-of-touch misogynist.The Atlantic, The Atlantic, 4 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Initially a religious movement focused on promoting Yemen's Zaidi Shiite Muslim community, Ansar Allah grew into a powerful insurgent group that captured large swathes of northern territory, including Sanaa, between late 2014 and early 2015.Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 16 Dec. 2024
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The country is now largely under the control of an insurgent group named Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS.Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY, 16 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near agitator
Cite this Entry
“Agitator.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agitator. Accessed 31 Dec. 2024.
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