Definition Definition

agitate - Meaning and Examples

Meaning of 'agitate' (Webster Dictionary)

1 . Agitate [ v. t.]
- To move with a violent, irregular action; as, the wind agitates the sea; to agitate water in a vessel.
- To move or actuate.
- To stir up; to disturb or excite; to perturb; as, he was greatly agitated.
- To discuss with great earnestness; to debate; as, a controversy hotly agitated.
- To revolve in the mind, or view in all its aspects; to contrive busily; to devise; to plot; as, politicians agitate desperate designs.

Meaning of 'agitate' (Princeton's WordNet)

1 . agitate [ v]
Meaning (1):
- move very slightly
Example in sentence:
  • He shifted in his seat
Meaning (2):
- move or cause to move back and forth
Example in sentence:
  • My hands were shaking;
  • The chemist shook the flask vigorously
Meaning (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
Example in sentence:
  • She is crusading for women's rights;
  • The Dean is pushing for his favorite candidate;
  • The liberal party pushed for reforms
Meaning (4):
- cause to be agitated, excited, or roused
Example in sentence:
  • The speaker charged up the crowd with his inflammatory remarks