AGITATE Synonyms: 167 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'agitate' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of agitate are convulse , rock , and shake . While all these words mean "to move up and down or to and fro with some violence," agitate suggests a violent and prolonged tossing or stirring. // an ocean agitated by storms

Q: When is it sensible to use 'convulse' instead of 'agitate'?

The words convulse and agitate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, convulse suggests a violent pulling or wrenching as of a body in a paroxysm. // spectators were convulsed with laughter

Q: Where would 'rock' be a reasonable alternative to 'agitate'?

Although the words rock and agitate have much in common, rock suggests a swinging or swaying motion resulting from violent impact or upheaval. // the whole city was rocked by the explosion

Q: When can 'shake' be used instead of 'agitate'?

The meanings of shake and agitate largely overlap; however, shake often carries a further implication of a particular purpose. // shake well before using

agitate

verb

ˈa-jə-ˌtāt

Definition of agitate

as in to stir

to cause (as a liquid) to move about in a circle especially repeatedly this room could use a ceiling fan to agitate the stuffy air a bit

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in to disturb

to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy there's no need to agitate the patient about little things

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to shake

to make a series of small irregular or violent movements set the washing machine so it will agitate for four minutes before going into the rinse cycle

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to discuss

to talk about (an issue) usually from various points of view and for the purpose of arriving at a decision or opinion a question which has been agitated by the legislature time and time again

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word agitate different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of agitate are convulse, rock, and shake. While all these words mean "to move up and down or to and fro with some violence," agitate suggests a violent and prolonged tossing or stirring.

an ocean agitated by storms

When is it sensible to use convulse instead of agitate?

The words convulse and agitate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, convulse suggests a violent pulling or wrenching as of a body in a paroxysm.

spectators were convulsed with laughter

Where would rock be a reasonable alternative to agitate?

Although the words rock and agitate have much in common, rock suggests a swinging or swaying motion resulting from violent impact or upheaval.

the whole city was rocked by the explosion

When can shake be used instead of agitate?

The meanings of shake and agitate largely overlap; however, shake often carries a further implication of a particular purpose.

shake well before using

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of agitate The poorer the air being inhaled by children in Hackney, the more regularly the dust was agitated and the thicker the storm and richer the color inside the box. — Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2026 Hold both sides of the duvet and gently agitate the filling in small sections to make sure that the water and soap thoroughly soak through. — Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 25 Sep. 2026 Oneida County Captain Tyler Young told the Journal Sentinel at the time that Taege approached Maulson and saw that he was agitated. — Frank Vaisvilas, jsonline.com, 21 Sep. 2026 Uneasy feelings activate self-critical thoughts as the moon agitates Chiron. — Usa Today, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for agitate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for agitate

Verb

To a small bowl, add the tamarind purée, chiles, garlic, fish sauce, lime juice, sugar, and salt and stir to combine.

— Emma Specter, Vogue, 14 Oct. 2026
The story centers on two ex-lovers who come back into each other’s lives after spending decades apart, only to find old feelings stirring with messy and mixed results.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of stir

Verb

She was especially disturbed by the emotional vulnerability that someone could exploit when a person believes a relationship is genuine.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026
Police Chief Paul Joseph said at a press conference on Tuesday that Lieu had a criminal history involving firearms and disturbing behavior.

— Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of disturb

Verb

The American Academy of Peptide Medicine is slated to meet with the Office of Management and Budget on Wednesday to discuss the pending regulation.

— David Lim, semafor.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Fernandes recently met with Malaysian government officials to discuss funding support for the airline, Reuters reported last week citing unnamed sources.

— Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of discuss

Verb

Gee, who used to pop into fraternity parties unannounced to keep tabs on them, said he is not bothered by the reintegration of the three formerly rogue organizations.

— Brittany Shammas, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026
This is a dense picture—there’s almost too much to unpack, if you can be bothered to care about any of it.

— Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of bother

Verb

But on Monday, Broadcom CEO Hock Tan likened many of the investors drawn to the AI boom to gamblers and questioned the economics of AI labs as Wall Street debates whether the AI bubble will burst.

— Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
The candidates for county judge debated the county’s most pressing issues, including budget management, flood control and jail diversion.

— Katie Bartlett, San Antonio Express-News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of debate

Verb

Know when to ask for another ball and try your best not to be distracted by a nice rack.

— Sean Joseph OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026
The compelling series achieves a provocative dissection of it all with rare confidence without the overindulgence of distracting CGI tossed in for sheer spectacle.

— Jeff Spry, Space.com, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of distract

Browse Nearby Words

agita

agitate

agitated

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Style

“Agitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agitate. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of agitate

verb

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