agitate
to move or force into violent, irregular action: The hurricane winds agitated the sea.
to shake or move briskly: The machine agitated the mixture.
to move to and fro; impart regular motion to.
to disturb or excite emotionally; arouse; perturb: a crowd agitated to a frenzy by impassioned oratory; a man agitated by disquieting news.
to call attention to by speech or writing; discuss; debate: to agitate the question.
to consider on all sides; revolve in the mind; plan.
to arouse or attempt to arouse public interest and support, as in some political or social cause or theory: to agitate for the repeal of a tax.
Origin of agitate
1Other words for agitate
Opposites for agitate
Other words from agitate
- ag·i·ta·ble [aj-i-tuh-buhl], /ˈædʒ ɪ tə bəl/, adjective
- ag·i·ta·tive, adjective
- o·ver·ag·i·tate, verb (used with object), o·ver·ag·i·tat·ed, o·ver·ag·i·tat·ing.
- pre·ag·i·tate, verb (used with object), pre·ag·i·tat·ed, pre·ag·i·tat·ing.
- re·ag·i·tate, verb, re·ag·i·tat·ed, re·ag·i·tat·ing.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for agitate
/ (ˈædʒɪˌteɪt) /
(tr) to excite, disturb, or trouble (a person, the mind, or feelings); worry
(tr) to cause to move vigorously; shake, stir, or disturb
(intr; often foll by for or against) to attempt to stir up public opinion for or against something
(tr) to discuss or debate in order to draw attention to or gain support for (a cause, etc): to agitate a political cause
Origin of agitate
1Derived forms of agitate
- agitated, adjective
- agitatedly, adverb
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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