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agitation
[ aj-i-tey-shuhn ]
noun
She left in great agitation.
Synonyms: ado, perturbation, conflict, struggle, disquiet, unrest, storm, tumult
- persistent urging of a political or social cause or theory before the public.
Synonyms: argument, discussion, debate
- Also called psy·cho·mo·tor ag·i·ta·tion [sahy, -koh-moh-ter aj-i-, tey, -sh, uh, n]. psychological and physical restlessness, manifested by pacing, hand-wringing, or other activity, sometimes occurring as a symptom of severe depression, schizophrenia, or other mental disorder.
agitation
/ ˌædʒɪˈteɪʃən /
noun
- a state of excitement, disturbance, or worry
- the act of moving something vigorously; the shaking or stirring of something
- the act of attempting to stir up public opinion for or against something
Derived Forms
- ˌagiˈtational, adjective
Other Words From
- ag·i·ta·tion·al adjective
- o·ver·ag·i·ta·tion noun
- pre·ag·i·ta·tion noun
- pro·ag·i·ta·tion adjective
- re·ag·i·ta·tion noun
- su·per·ag·i·ta·tion noun
- un·der·ag·i·ta·tion noun
Word History and Origins
Origin of agitation1
Synonym Study
Example Sentences
Laura attempted to go along with their realities to avoid agitation, which made her feel like she was living in “this weird, make-believe version” of the world.
Soon after, he began to have episodes of extreme agitation, crawling on the floor and even hallucinating.
Though the Palmdale station was a five-minute drive from his house, his agitation signaled to him that it was time to relocate to what he’d hoped would be a less relentless outpost.
In the 1970s and 1980s, Punjabi Sikhs led similar agitations that called for better government support of agriculture.
My lower-back pain was at its worst, and running only added to the agitation.
Born into old New York money, he disdained the populist agitation that was sweeping the West.
When Hansberry wrote A Raisin in the Sun, America was shimmering with the stirrings of social agitation.
The threat of Russian military intervention combined with separatist agitation in eastern Ukraine already is bearing results.
The grassroots agitation in favor of Russia has become less spontaneous and more focused in recent days.
Instead of the agitation I had feared, I found myself able to paint there tranquilly.
In passing to her own chamber she met the Emperor, and, in the agitation of her maternal fears, told him all that had passed.
When Stanhope entered to him, he found his guest lying on a sofa, in a high state of fever, both from his wounds and agitation.
Santa Cruz embraced him, with more agitation than his stately mien might have announced.
But agitation unlocks wayward fancies and sends them scurrying inopportunely across the very foreground of the mind.
The agitation for Tenant-Right in Ireland is destined to fail—in fact, has virtually failed already.
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Related Words
More About Agitation
What does agitation mean?
Agitation is the state or feeling of being agitated—anxious, bothered, or worried, as in There is a lot of agitation among the employees who have not yet been paid.
It also commonly refers to the act or process of agitating—shaking up, stirring up, or causing something to move around roughly, as in The agitation of the water by strong winds has caused it to become very choppy.
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: You could hear Mom’s agitation growing with each additional time she asked Tim to take out the garbage.
Where does agitation come from?
The first records of the word agitation come from around the mid-1500s. It ultimately comes from the Latin verb agitāre, meaning “to set in motion.” The suffix -ion indicates an action or condition.
In most of its senses, agitation involves stirring things up or setting things in motion in a way that’s a bit messy or turbulent. The feeling of agitation involves your emotions being stirred up by something that’s frustrating, annoying, or stressful. The agitation of physical things usually involves them being literally stirred up, such as the ocean being stirred up by storm. Agitation in a political context involves stirring things up to make a change, especially in a way that’s a little controversial.
In psychology, psychomotor agitation is a symptom of some psychological disorders that involves physical restlessness, including things like pacing and handwringing.
Did you know ... ?
What are some other forms related to agitation?
- agitational (adjective)
- overagitation (noun)
- agitate (verb)
What are some synonyms for agitation?
What are some words that share a root or word element with agitation?
What are some words that often get used in discussing agitation?
How is agitation used in real life?
When it involves feelings of anxiousness, agitation is typically used in negative situations. When it refers to political activity, agitation usually implies that there is controversy or contentiousness involved.
I don't care how tiny the argument is, if you say "whatever" to me then I instantly reach a whole new level of agitation.
— Marie Gaumont (@MarieGaumont) April 1, 2013
Authenticity isn't just about the ability to express anger and agitation. It's also about the willingness to accept agency and accountability. If you're only doing the former, you're not keeping it 100%. You're mailing it in at 50%
— T.K. Coleman (@TK_Coleman) December 9, 2018
thinking about my Sicilian great-great grandfather Vincenzo who tried and failed to do pro-independence "bring back the Kingdom of the 2 Sicilies" political agitation in the 1880s before being unceremoniously exiled to the United States
— ghost denier (@coronarycommie) July 29, 2020
Try using agitation!
Which of the following words is NOT a synonym of agitation?
A. disturbance
B. turbulence
C. unrest
D. peace
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