# agitating

/ˈædʒəˌteɪtɪŋ/ (US) · /ˈædʒɪtˌeɪtɪŋ/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/agitating
Updated: 2026-10-13

## Definition

to stir or shake a liquid, or to make people feel worried and unable to stay calm. You use it for soup that needs mixing and for talk that makes a group restless.

For teachers: to stir or shake a liquid briskly; to disturb people emotionally or to press persistently for social or political change.

## Examples

- She is agitating the soup to stop it sticking.
- The washing machine is agitating the clothes to remove the mud from the football kits.
- The group keeps agitating for cleaner parks, handing out leaflets and speaking at every council meeting.

## Usage notes

- The verb is transitive when meaning to stir or upset; takes 'for' when meaning to campaign.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.