agitator

[ aj-i-tey-ter ]

/ ˈædʒ ɪˌteɪ tər /

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noun

a person who stirs up others in order to upset the status quo and further a political, social, or other cause: The boss said he would fire any union agitators.

a machine or device for agitating and mixing.

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Origin of agitator

First recorded in 1730–40; agitate + -or²

OTHER WORDS FROM agitator

ag·i·ta·to·ri·al

[aj-i-tuh-tawr-ee-uhl, -tohr-], /ˌædʒ ɪ təˈtɔr i əl, -ˈtoʊr-/, adjective

How to use agitator in a sentence

In an appearance Wednesday morning on CBS, Bratton focused on what he called the “professional agitators” within the protests.
After No Indictment for Eric Garner Killer, Is NYC the Next Ferguson?|Jacob Siegel|December 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But their “harshest” was on March 14, when pro-Russian agitators attacked armed with clubs, baseball bats and knives.
Soccer Hooligans Prep Ukraine for Putin|Jamie Dettmer|March 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
She later told me she recognized several Socialist Workers Party agitators in the room.
UK Jew’s Harassment Claim Fails|Paul Usiskin|April 1, 2013|DAILY BEAST
“The outside agitators, like Alan Dershowitz, did us a favor,” she said.
‘The Gatekeepers,’ Brooklyn College BDS Forum: Week of Israel Debate|Gail Sheehy|February 8, 2013|DAILY BEAST

The men formed a human bulldozer, forcing back agitators who sought to hurl rocks and bottles at the cops.
Cairo Salafists Say Violent Embassy Protests Are Hurting Their Cause|Mike Giglio|September 14, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Let no opportunity be missed of exposing the true character of the vile and selfish agitators of the Anti-corn-law league.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. CCCXXXIX. January, 1844. Vol. LV.|Various
Mr. Stanley replied in a speech of caustic severity, which the agitators of Ireland have never forgotten or forgiven.
The History of England in Three Volumes, Vol.III.|E. Farr and E. H. Nolan
The vote of the house of lords also alarmed and gave umbrage to Ireland's agitators.
The History of England in Three Volumes, Vol.III.|E. Farr and E. H. Nolan
He was the most fiery of all "the rebels," as these agitators ultimately became.
The History of England in Three Volumes, Vol.III.|E. Farr and E. H. Nolan
His raid made the North solid against the slave system and the South as solid against anti-slavery theories and agitators.
The Raid of John Brown at Harper's Ferry as I Saw It|Rev. Samuel Vanderlip Leech

British Dictionary definitions for agitator

agitator

/ (ˈædʒɪˌteɪtə) /

noun

a person who agitates for or against a cause, etc

a device, machine, or part used for mixing, shaking, or vibrating a material, usually a fluid

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

agitator

Origin of agitator

OTHER WORDS FROM agitator

Words related to agitator

How to use agitator in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for agitator