verb
agitate
A-jih-tayt
Agitate (verb) means to make someone anxious, upset, or unsettled. Example: “The news of the delay agitated the already nervous passengers.”
verb
1
To make someone anxious, upset, or unsettled.
"The news of the delay agitated the already nervous passengers."
"Loud noises seem to agitate the baby."
2
To shake or stir something with force.
"Agitate the mixture gently before pouring it into the mould."
3
To campaign publicly and persistently for a political or social cause.
"Activists agitated for years to get the law changed."
How to use agitate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo stir something up — literally (shaking a liquid) or figuratively (making someone anxious, or campaigning loudly for change).
Common pairings
agitate the mixture
agitate for change
visibly agitated
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- agitates
- Past tense
- agitated
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The news of the delay _____ the already nervous passengers.
Etymology
From Latin agitare, "to keep moving, drive on" — a frequentative form of agere, "to drive or move," the same root as "act" and "agent."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for agitate
See all rhymes for agitate →Frequently asked questions
What does “agitate” mean?
The word “agitate” means to make someone anxious, upset, or unsettled. In plain terms, to stir something up — literally (shaking a liquid) or figuratively (making someone anxious, or campaigning loudly for change).
How do you pronounce “agitate”?
“Agitate” is pronounced A-jih-tayt (/ˈæ.d͡ʒɪ.teɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “agitate” in a sentence?
Here is “agitate” used in a sentence: “The news of the delay agitated the already nervous passengers.”
What part of speech is “agitate”?
“Agitate” is a verb.
Where does the word “agitate” come from?
The word “agitate” comes from Latin. From Latin agitare, "to keep moving, drive on" — a frequentative form of agere, "to drive or move," the same root as "act" and "agent.".
How many meanings does “agitate” have?
“Agitate” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to make someone anxious, upset, or unsettled.
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