1
as in frenzy
a state of wildly excited activity or emotion
knew immediately, from the horses' agitation, that something terrible was happening
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in anxiety
an uneasy state of mind usually over the possibility of an anticipated misfortune or trouble
experienced a great deal of agitation over whether she had an appropriate dress for her husband's inauguration
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of agitation
Far from a spiritual society blessed by the truth of God, the desperate world around them appears to have been reduced to nothing but transactions, with everyone out for themselves, which in turn enhances both the characters’ agitation and ours.
—
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2025
But agitation, redness, and dry flakiness aren’t unheard of.
—Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2025
When there was labor unrest, the coal town churches tended to side with the companies, advising miners against strikes or agitation.
—The Conversation, 7 Oct. 2025
Two days later, the Chiefs put aside the agitation and put up their best offensive outing in two years (and four days) for a 37-20 win against the Ravens.
—Sam McDowell 3, Kansas City Star, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for agitation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for agitation
Noun
-
Travelers not seeking football frenzy should avoid the fall, when hotel and airfare prices skyrocket and crowds are large.—
-
January was set to host a free-agent frenzy, with most league veterans aligning their contracts to expire in advance of the new CBA.—
Noun
-
Somehow, this new sensation emitted an awareness of the magnitude in which skateboarding would warp my life, which only ratcheted up the anxiety of blowing it.—
-
The news this week that an ICE agent had shot and killed a woman in Minnesota heightened his anxiety.—
Noun
-
The agent took this to be a reference to the multifaceted terror rampage in France, which killed at least 130 people in 2015.—
-
Trump’s rampage through federal programs has proven a liability there.—
Noun
-
A lot of people get drawn into the fear, distracted by the thoughts in their head.—
-
Many immigrant customers haven’t returned, while five of his former employees, despite having working papers, left Charlotte permanently out of fear.—
Noun
-
The four-time NBA championship coach flew into a rage, aggressively gesturing at officials and screaming.—
-
Over the years, wallpaper has been all the rage.—
Noun
-
The measures, which had been agreed to in writing in mid-November 2023, were intended to address Lively’s concerns about on-set conduct and safety.—
-
Venezuelan immigrants and political refugees are celebrating the capture of President Nicolas Maduro, despite local protests and legal concerns.—
Noun
-
Meanwhile Syria remains scarred by years of conflict and nationals in Germany are looking on at the debate with mounting worry.—
-
Leaders at big carmakers spelled out their worries in the latest round of earnings calls, saying that finding a replacement for Nexperia at scale in the short term will be difficult.—
Noun
-
Mia Goth’s dual roles add another layer of unease.—
-
Political turmoil added to unease up North.—
Cite this Entry
“Agitation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agitation. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share