agitate meaning

agitate as a verb

1. try to stir up public opinion

   Synonyms: foment, stir up

   Type of: provoke

   Kinds: rumpus

   Related forms: agitator

2. cause to be agitated, excited, or roused
   • The speaker charged up the crowd with his inflammatory remarks

   Synonyms: rouse, turn on, charge, commove, excite, charge up

   Opposite: calm

   Type of: disturb

   Kinds: hype up, bother, pother, electrify

   Related forms: agitative

3. exert oneself continuously, vigorously, or obtrusively to gain an end or engage in a crusade for a certain cause or person; be an advocate for
   • The liberal party pushed for reforms
   • She is crusading for women's rights
   • The Dean is pushing for his favorite candidate

   Synonyms: crusade, fight, press, campaign, push

   Type of: advertise

4. move very slightly
   • He shifted in his seat

   Synonyms: stir, shift, budge

   Type of: move

5. move or cause to move back and forth
   • The chemist shook the flask vigorously
   • My hands were shaking

   Synonyms: shake

   Type of: move

   Kinds: fluff up, fan, tremble, tremor, palpitate, convulse, sparge, succuss, concuss, rattle, jiggle

6. change the arrangement or position of

   Synonyms: vex, disturb, commove, shake up, stir up, raise up

   Type of: move

   Kinds: beat, toss, roil, poke

How to pronounce agitate

agitate is pronounced /ˈædʒɪteɪt/ in British English and /ˈædʒəteɪt/ in American English. It has 3 syllables, with the stress on the first syllable.