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Agitate Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐Ÿ”ฅ
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agitate

[หˆรฆdส’ษชหŒteษชt ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

emotion

To agitate means to make someone feel nervous, anxious, or upset.

Synonyms

disturb, unsettle, upset.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
agitate

Used when describing someone actively causing someone else to feel anxious, troubled, or nervous. Often used in the context of a protest or when stirring emotions or actions.

  • The speaker's inflammatory comments agitated the crowd.
  • He agitated for more rights and better working conditions.
disturb

Used when talking about something disruptive that interrupts the normal function or calm of a person or place. It often implies causing worry or mild annoyance.

  • Please don't disturb the patients in the recovery ward.
  • His strange behavior began to disturb the neighbors.
upset

Used to describe causing someone to feel emotional distress or to remove someone from a state of contentment. It is also commonly used when referring to being emotionally troubled.

  • The bad news upset her greatly.
  • His rude comments upset everyone at the meeting.
unsettle

Often used when something or someone makes someone else feel uneasy or uncertain, disrupting their peace of mind.

  • The sudden change in weather unsettled everyone at the picnic.
  • Her unexpected visit unsettled him.

Examples of usage

  • The constant noise from the construction site agitated the residents of the neighborhood.
  • She was agitated by the news of the upcoming changes at work.
Context #2 | Verb

politics

To agitate means to campaign for political or social change, especially in a forceful or aggressive way.

Synonyms

advocate, campaign, protest.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
agitate

Used when you want to describe the act of causing someone to feel worried or upset, or to stir up public feelings on an issue. Often has a negative connotation.

  • 'The loud noises from the construction site agitated the residents
  • ' 'The speaker's comments agitated the crowd
  • '
protest

Used to describe a demonstration or action expressing objection to something, often organized publicly and connected to political or social issues.

  • 'They organized a protest against the new law
  • ' 'She joined the protest to voice her concerns
  • '
campaign

Used when referring to an organized course of action to achieve a goal, typically political or social.

  • 'They launched a campaign to reduce plastic waste
  • ' 'The politician's campaign for re-election was very successful
  • '
advocate

Used when you are actively supporting or recommending a cause or policy, usually in a positive and constructive manner.

  • 'She advocates for environmental sustainability
  • ' 'He is a strong advocate for human rights
  • '

Examples of usage

  • The activists were agitating for better working conditions for factory workers.
  • He spent years agitating for civil rights in his country.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Psychologists study how agitation can lead to increased anxiety, which may interfere with calm thinking.
  • Emotional agitation can spur people to take action, especially in social justice movements.
  • Different types of agitation can manifestโ€”cognitive (thought-based), emotional (feeling-based), and behavioral (action-based).

Social Movements

  • Throughout history, various leaders have used agitation to mobilize communities for change, like during civil rights movements.
  • Rhetoric aimed to agitate the public has been a key part of many successful protests worldwide.
  • Social media plays a unique role in modern agitation, allowing rapid sharing of ideas that can provoke strong responses.

Arts and Literature

  • Literature often presents characters in states of agitation to explore themes of conflict and change.
  • Many art forms, especially in the 20th century, have depicted agitation and unrest as a response to societal conditions.
  • The concept of agitation appears in the works of authors and poets who reflect the turmoil of their times.

Pop Culture

  • Songs often use the theme of agitation to express intense feelingsโ€”both positive and negativeโ€”like rage or passion.
  • Movies with plots centered on social injustice typically feature characters who agitate for change.
  • Reality TV shows sometimes manipulate situations to agitate participants for more drama.

Origin of 'agitate'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'agitate' comes from the Latin 'agitare', which means 'to set in motion' or 'to drive'.
  • In the 16th century, it began appearing in English, often relating to stirring up emotions or thoughts.
  • Related words include 'agitation', which refers to the state of being upset or excited.

The word 'agitate' originated in the late 16th century from the Latin word 'agitatus', which means 'put in motion'. Over time, the meaning of the word evolved to include both the sense of stirring up emotions and the sense of promoting social change.

See also: agitated, agitatedly, agitating, agitation, agitator.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #20,980, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.