Advertisement
Advertisement
agitate
[ aj-i-teyt ]
verb (used with object)
- to move or force into violent, irregular action:
The hurricane winds agitated the sea.
Synonyms: ,
Antonyms: ,
- to shake or move briskly:
The machine agitated the mixture.
- to move to and fro; impart regular motion to.
Synonyms:
- to disturb or excite emotionally; arouse; perturb:
a crowd agitated to a frenzy by impassioned oratory; a man agitated by disquieting news.
Synonyms: , ,
- to call attention to by speech or writing; discuss; debate:
to agitate the question.
Synonyms:
- to consider on all sides; revolve in the mind; plan.
verb (used without object)
- 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
/ ˈæɪˌٱɪ /
verb
- tr to excite, disturb, or trouble (a person, the mind, or feelings); worry
- tr to cause to move vigorously; shake, stir, or disturb
- intr; often foll by for or against to attempt to stir up public opinion for or against something
- 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
- ˈˌٲٱ, adverb
- ˈˌٲٱ, adjective
Other 51Թ Forms
- ··ٲ· [aj, -i-t, uh, -b, uh, l], adjective
- i·ٲt adjective
- v·i·ٲٱ verb (used with object) overagitated overagitating
- ·i·ٲٱ verb (used with object) preagitated preagitating
- ·i·ٲٱ verb reagitated reagitating
51Թ History and Origins
Origin of agitate1
51Թ History and Origins
Origin of agitate1
Example Sentences
Then, they allege, other employees rushed toward Arroyo, causing him to become “even more agitated and volatile” and chased him out of the store, where he jumped on a car and hopped the fence.
Paramount’s controlling shareholder, Shari Redstone, has agitated for the Trump lawsuit to be settled to clear the way for her sale of the company to David Ellison’s Skydance Media.
Nonetheless, Paramount’s controlling shareholder Shari Redstone has agitated to settle the lawsuit with Trump to help clear a path for her company’s sale to David Ellison’s Skydance Media.
Barry Clark, one of the passengers, told Australian public broadcaster ABC that the teen appeared to be dressed like an airport worker and was "agitated".
"We will come into work and find patients really suffering – in pain, breathless, agitated or with nausea and vomiting. It is hard to over-state how lamentably badly-resourced palliative care services are."
Advertisement
Related 51Թs
More About Agitate
What doesagitate mean?
To agitate someone is to make them feel anxious, bothered, or worried. Someone who feels this way can be described as agitated. Things that make you feel this way can be described as agitating.
To agitate something is to shake it up, stir it up, or cause it to move around roughly, as in The storm agitated the water, stirring up huge waves.
The noun agitation refers to the act or process of agitating in this way. It also commonly refers to the state or feeling of being agitated, as in There is a lot of agitation among the employees who have not yet been paid.
The verb agitate is also used in a more specific way to mean to attempt to promote support or opposition for a political or social cause, especially by repeatedly raising the issue and bringing awareness to it. The act of doing this can be called agitation, and a person who does this can be called an agitator.
Example: The cable news channel blaring in the waiting room really agitates me—they really shouldn’t have that around people who are about to get their blood pressure taken.
Where doesagitate come from?
The first records of the word agitate come from the late 1500s. It comes from the Latin verb , meaning “to set in motion.”
In most of its senses, agitate involves stirring things up or setting things in motion in a way that’s a bit messy or turbulent. When you get agitated, your emotions get stirred up by something that’s frustrating, annoying, or stressful. When physical things are agitated, they are literally stirred up—the part of a washing machine that agitates the clothes (spins them around in the water) is called an agitator. Agitate in a political context involves stirring things up to make a change, especially in a way that’s a little controversial.
Did you know ... ?
What are some other forms related to agitate?
- agitated (past tense verb, adjective)
- agitating (continuous tense verb, adjective)
- agitation (noun)
- agitator (noun)
What are some synonyms for agitate?
What are some words that share a root or word element with agitate?
What are some words that often get used in discussing agitate?
How isagitate used in real life?
When it involves feelings of anxiousness, agitate is typically used in negative situations. When it refers to political activity, agitate usually implies that there is controversy or contentiousness involved.
The question “What are you gonna do after high school?” is starting to agitate me
— Baby J 💜 J.A.C (@jazzy_fayy18)
The stiff winds were really agitating the water….
— Sherry Winchester (@sambawoman)
It irritates me when people wait until the last minute to do something. I’m a planner & being unorganized agitates me.
— Beat Goddess Media (@BGM_KB)
Try usingagitate!
Which of the following words is NOT a synonym of agitate?
A. disturb
B. perturb
C. fluster
D. calm
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Browse