Word
agitator
Phoneticsag·i·ta·tor, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈædʒəˌteɪtɝ/
UK/ˈædʒɪtˌeɪtɐ/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a person who tries to make other people angry or excited so they will protest or take action. You use it for someone who stirs up strong feelings about politics or change.
n. a person who provokes political or social unrest in order to promote change, typically through speeches, protests, or organising.
Examples
“The agitator urges the crowd to march to city hall.”
“Police arrested the agitator after he encouraged factory workers to block the main road during the strike.”
“Historians still debate whether he was a visionary reformer or merely an agitator who exploited popular anger for personal influence.”
Examples
simple
“The agitator urges the crowd to march to city hall.”
contextual
“Police arrested the agitator after he encouraged factory workers to block the main road during the strike.”
complex
“Historians still debate whether he was a visionary reformer or merely an agitator who exploited popular anger for personal influence.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “agitator” in context.
Verb
01. agitator addresses
“The agitator addressed supporters through a loudspeaker late into the night.”
noun + verb
02. agitator incites
“The agitator incited workers to walk out and block the roads.”
noun + verb
03. agitator provokes
“The agitator provoked clashes by urging supporters toward the barricades.”
noun + verb
04. agitator stirs
“The agitator stirred the crowd into a frenzy outside parliament.”
noun + verb
05. arrest agitator
“Police moved in to arrest the agitator leading the march.”
verb + noun
06. denounce agitator
“The mayor publicly denounced the agitator for provoking violence.”
verb + noun
07. expel agitator
“The party voted to expel the agitator for inciting division.”
verb + noun
Noun
08. label of agitator
“She rejected the label of agitator, calling herself a reformer.”
noun + prep + noun
09. agitator behind violent protests
“He was identified as the agitator behind the violent protests last spring.”
10. arrest the chief agitator
“Police arrested the chief agitator to prevent further unrest downtown.”
11. brand someone as an agitator
“The press tried to brand him as an agitator for leading the strike.”
12. dismissed as an outside agitator
“She was dismissed as an outside agitator with no real stake in the dispute.”
Real-World Examples
“Azhar explains how radical Islamist agitators took advantage when their warnings about protests going unheeded were proved to be correct; they began preaching loudly against integration and in support of violent resistance.” “Despite the reduction in arrivals, far-right agitators wearing masks and black paramilitary clothing continue to protest on the streets and try to block small boat arrivals.” “Authorities say political agitators have infiltrated the protest, which started at a Paris school on 17 September and spread across the capital and the rest of France.” “Earlier this month, dozens of agitators surrounded Szor’s parents’ home in central Israel, with one protester calling for the “death penalty for traitors”.” Etymology
From agitate + -or.
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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