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

He is always calling on “we,” “the population,” or “the people” to rally in the streets and agitate for a better future.

From The Daily Beast

Zamora was handsome, passionate, and used his time on The Real World to educate and agitate.

From The Daily Beast

Their leaders said some 20,000 people turned out to agitate in the Russian capital; officials put the number lower, around 8,000.

From The Daily Beast

When they are out of power Republicans agitate to cut taxes and oppose tax increases.

From The Daily Beast

An American first lady was embracing a brand known for its willingness to push boundaries, to agitate, and even to offend.

From The Daily Beast

I suppose they didn't want to agitate the duke until the last moment and couldn't find Harold until this morning.

From Project Gutenberg

This is a painful thought, which, I believe, does much agitate his Majesty now and afterwards.

From Project Gutenberg

She herself continued to agitate Cecil and the council by the favours she lavished on Leicester.

From Project Gutenberg

These, and other more subtile questions--like the nature of angels--began to agitate the convent in the ninth century.

From Project Gutenberg

That question we are too wise to agitate, until the country recovers somewhat from the anxieties and perplexities of the war.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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