agitate

[aj-i-teyt]

verb (used with object)

agitated, agitating 

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)

agitated, agitating 

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

Other Word Forms

• agitatedly adverb
• agitated adjective
• agitable adjective
• agitative adjective
• overagitate verb (used with object)
• preagitate verb (used with object)
• reagitate verb

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

Two of his passengers that night told investigators he “appeared agitated and angry,” according to a criminal complaint.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Pasadena police said that three people were injured in the attack after Zavala reportedly became agitated due to a spilled beverage.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

He was transferred to HMP Edinburgh's segregation unit after prison officers said he had become agitated.

Read more on BBC

But the program remains enormously popular in the high-tech world, which has long agitated for an expansion.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"And then all of a sudden, this agitated, anxious man began to sleep," she recalls.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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

When To Use

What does agitate 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.