Word
agitate
Phoneticsag·i·tate, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈædʒəˌteɪt/
UK/ˈædʒɪtˌeɪt/
Definition
v. to make someone feel worried, nervous, or upset. It can also mean to shake or stir a liquid quickly.
v. to disturb someone emotionally, causing anxiety or restlessness. Also refers to shaking or stirring liquid vigorously, and to campaigning persistently for political or social change.
Examples
“Loud noises agitate the baby.”
“The constant flight delays started to agitate the passengers waiting at the gate.”
“The editorial continued to agitate for electoral reform, arguing that public apathy would only deepen unless citizens demanded transparent counting procedures.”
Examples
simple
“Loud noises agitate the baby.”
contextual
“The constant flight delays started to agitate the passengers waiting at the gate.”
complex
“The editorial continued to agitate for electoral reform, arguing that public apathy would only deepen unless citizens demanded transparent counting procedures.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “agitate” in context.
Verb
01. agitate crowd
“The speaker agitated the crowd with inflammatory remarks.”
verb + noun
02. agitate liquid
“Shake the bottle to agitate the liquid before use.”
verb + noun
03. agitate mind
“The strange noise agitated his mind all night.”
verb + noun
04. agitate solution
“Gently heat and agitate the solution until it dissolves.”
verb + noun
05. continue to agitate
“The group continues to agitate for fair wages.”
verb + to + verb
Noun
06. agitate against government
“The opposition agitated against the government for months.”
verb + prep + noun
07. agitate for reform
“Students agitated for reform of the examination system.”
verb + prep + noun
08. agitate over decision
“Fans agitated over the decision to close the stadium.”
verb + prep + noun
09. agitate for political change
“Young voters began to agitate for political change.”
10. agitate the crowd into action
“The leader tried to agitate the crowd into action.”
11. become agitated over delays
“Passengers became agitated over the long delays.”
12. continue to agitate against injustice
“They will continue to agitate against injustice everywhere.”
Usage
Transitive when meaning to disturb or shake; takes 'for' or 'against' when meaning to campaign for change.
Real-World Examples
“Daniel Cooper from Chippenham in Wiltshire says taking sertraline in hot weather causes him to sweat excessively and feel agitated” Etymology
From Middle English agitat(e) (“set in motion”), borrowed from Latin agitātus, perfect passive participle of agitō (“to put in motion”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), frequentative of agō (“to drive, move, push”), see -tō. Cognate with French agiter. See also act and agent.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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