Agitate

/ˈæ.d͡ʒɪ.teɪt/ · verb

Meaning

(transitive) To disturb or excite; to perturb or stir up (a person)..

Definitions by Sense

1. (transitive) To disturb or excite; to perturb or stir up (a person).
2. (transitive) To cause to move with a violent, irregular action; to shake.
3. To participate in political agitation (sense 3).
4. (transitive, obsolete) To set in motion; to actuate.
5. (transitive, now rare) To discuss or debate.
6. (transitive, now rare) To mull over, or think deeply about; to consider, to devise.

Example Sentences

He was greatly agitated by the news.

to agitate water in a vessel

The wind agitates the sea.

It was a dark and stormy night; the rain fell in torrents — except at occasional intervals, when it was checked by a violent gust of wind which swept up the streets (for it is in London that our scene lies), rattling along the housetops, and fiercely agitating the scanty flame of the lamps that struggled against the darkness.

NAMBLA is working to build a coalition of gay, lesbian, progressive and civil liberties groups to agitate against the increasing state attacks on gay men who associate with boys.

Your speech at the time a bill for the regency was agitated now lies before me.

Politicians agitate desperate designs.

Synonyms for agitate

Antonyms for agitate

Related Words

Word Forms

• agitates
• agitating
• agitated

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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