Agitating Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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agitating

[หˆaสคษชหŒteษชtษชล‹ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

in a political context

Causing or tending to cause agitation; disturbing or exasperating.

Synonyms

inflammatory, provocative, provoking.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
agitating

Use when describing something that causes anxiety, unrest, or worry. It can be used in emotional or political contexts.

  • The constant noise from the construction site was very agitating.
  • Her agitating comments on social media caused a lot of distress among her followers.
provocative

Useful when referring to something that is intended to provoke thought, reactions, or controversy. This word can have both negative and positive connotations depending on the context.

  • Her provocative dress attracted a lot of attention at the party.
  • The artist's provocative installation stirred up a lot of discussion about social issues.
inflammatory

Best used in contexts where words or actions are likely to cause anger or strong reactions. Often related to speech or statements that can incite emotional responses.

  • The politician's inflammatory remarks led to protests.
  • Publishing such an inflammatory article could lead to widespread unrest.
provoking

Relates to causing annoyance or reactions, often negative. It is less intense than 'inflammatory' but still conveys irritation or disturbance.

  • His provoking behavior is getting on everyone's nerves.
  • The teacher's harsh criticism was provoking discomfort among the students.

Examples of usage

  • The agitating speech riled up the crowd.
  • The agitating behavior of the protesters led to clashes with the police.
Context #2 | Verb

in a social context

Stir up public opinion to promote a cause or disperse as a crowd.

Synonyms

incite, provoke, stir up.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
agitating

This word is often used when someone is making others anxious, upset, or nervous, especially in a political or social context.

  • The speaker was agitating the crowd with his inflammatory remarks.
  • She found his constant complaints very agitating.
incite

This term is used when someone is encouraging others to take action, especially something violent or unlawful. It carries a strong negative connotation.

  • The leader's speech was designed to incite the crowd to riot.
  • He was arrested for attempting to incite violence.
stir up

This phrase is often used when someone is causing trouble or creating strong feelings, sometimes in a group of people.

  • He loves to stir up controversy with his opinions.
  • The news article is likely to stir up public sentiment.
provoke

This word is used when someone causes a reaction or emotion, typically anger or annoyance, in others.

  • His rude comments were meant to provoke her into an argument.
  • The decision to raise taxes is likely to provoke public outrage.

Examples of usage

  • The activist group agitated for better working conditions.
  • The students agitated for more transparency in the school's decision-making process.

Translations

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

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Agitation can be a sign of anxiety, where a person's mind is racing, and body is tense.
  • Some research shows that agitation is not only emotional but can also lead to physical responses like increased heart rate.

Social Movements

  • In political contexts, agitation often refers to action aimed at prompting change โ€“ think of protests or rallies.
  • Historical figures like Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. used agitation as a tool for social reform, encouraging people to rise for their rights.

Media and Culture

  • Films and books often depict agitation in characters facing moral dilemmas or emotional turmoil, revealing deeper human experiences.
  • Songs sometimes use agitation as a theme, reflecting feelings of frustration or unease in society.

Health

  • In healthcare, agitation is a term used to describe restlessness in patients, often seen in mental health conditions.
  • Therapies to manage agitation include calming techniques such as mindfulness and relaxation exercises, helping to ease worry.

Origin of 'agitating'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'agitare', meaning 'to set in motion or to stir up'.
  • Initially used in English around the early 17th century, it referred to physical movement and later took on emotional meanings.

The word 'agitating' originated from the Latin word 'agitatus', which means 'stirred up'. It has been used in various contexts throughout history, particularly in political and social movements where individuals or groups seek to inspire change through active agitation. The term has evolved to encompass both the act of causing agitation and the state of being agitated, reflecting its dynamic and impactful nature.


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

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #19,935, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.