agitate

[ aj-i-teyt ]

verb (used with object)

, ag·i·tat·ed, ag·i·tat·ing.

1. to move or force into violent, irregular action:

   The hurricane winds agitated the sea.

   Synonyms: toss, disturb

   Antonyms: soothe, calm

2. to shake or move briskly:

   The machine agitated the mixture.

3. to move to and fro; impart regular motion to.

   Synonyms: wave

4. to disturb or excite emotionally; arouse; perturb:

   a crowd agitated to a frenzy by impassioned oratory; a man agitated by disquieting news.

   Synonyms: roil, fluster, ruffle

5. to call attention to by speech or writing; discuss; debate:

   to agitate the question.

   Synonyms: dispute

6. to consider on all sides; revolve in the mind; plan.

verb (used without object)

, ag·i·tat·ed, ag·i·tat·ing.

1. to arouse or attempt to arouse public interest and support, as in some political or social cause or theory:

   to agitate for the repeal of a tax.

agitate

/ ˈædʒɪˌteɪt /

verb

1. tr to excite, disturb, or trouble (a person, the mind, or feelings); worry
2. tr to cause to move vigorously; shake, stir, or disturb
3. intr; often foll by for or against to attempt to stir up public opinion for or against something
4. tr to discuss or debate in order to draw attention to or gain support for (a cause, etc)

   to agitate a political cause

Derived Forms

• ˈagiˌtatedly, adverb
• ˈagiˌtated, adjective

Other Words From

• ag·i·ta·ble [aj, -i-t, uh, -b, uh, l], adjective
• agi·tative adjective
• over·agi·tate verb (used with object) overagitated overagitating
• pre·agi·tate verb (used with object) preagitated preagitating
• re·agi·tate verb reagitated reagitating

Word History and Origins

Origin of agitate¹

First recorded in 1580–90; from Latin agitātus, past participle of agitāre “to set in motion,” literally, “to do repeatedly,” from agere “to do, drive”

Word History and Origins

Origin of agitate¹

C16: from Latin agitātus, from agitāre to move to and fro, set into motion, from agere to act, do

Example Sentences

They warned that right-wing Conservative MPs, who mostly backed Jenrick’s campaign, are now more likely to agitate against Badenoch’s leadership.

From BBC

Lai previously told visitors there would be "no surprises" in his national day address, in a bid to reassure them that he would not do anything further to agitate Beijing.

From BBC

“Ms. Tabassum’s speech as valedictorian was anticipated to be harmful to Jewish students and even potentially agitate anti-Jewish activists,” the organization said.

From Seattle Times

“Oftentimes, we agitate a situation, we don’t have to take a person into custody,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

Their success suggests several possibilities about cultural consumption: Audiences that don’t care about an artist’s indiscretions can be more sizable than the ones that do; those who publicly agitate on these matters might be privately relenting; or that perhaps some audiences may have a tolerance — or maybe even an appetite — for offense.

From New York Times

Related Words

• alarm
• confuse
• disconcert
• distract
• disturb
• excite
• fluster
• incite
• inflame
• perturb
• work up