Agitate: meaning, definitions and examples

🔥

Add to dictionary

agitate

[ˈædʒɪˌteɪt ]

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?

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?

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.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

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.

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 manifest—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 feelings—both positive and negative—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.

Translations

Translations of the word "agitate" in other languages:

🇵🇹 agitar

🇮🇳 उत्तेजित करना

🇩🇪 agieren

🇮🇩 mengagitasi

🇺🇦 збуджувати

🇵🇱 agitować

🇯🇵 煽動する (せんどうする)

🇫🇷 agiter

🇪🇸 agitar

🇹🇷 harekete geçirmek

🇰🇷 선동하다 (seondonghada)

🇸🇦 يحرك

🇨🇿 agitovat

🇸🇰 agitovať

🇨🇳 煽动 (shāndòng)

🇸🇮 vznemirjati

🇮🇸 æsa

🇰🇿 қоздыру

🇬🇪 აღძვრა

🇦🇿 hərəkətə gətirmək

🇲🇽 agitar

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.

...
20977 flume
20978 preventative
20979 wantonly
20980 agitate
20981 powerlessness
20982 dismantle
20983 voiceless
...