Agitation is a noun with several related meanings. It can describe unrestA state of worry, conflict, or social disorder. or turbulentRough, unstable, and changing suddenly or violently. change, a disturbance caused by protest, a troubled emotional state, or the act of stirring or moving something vigorouslyWith a lot of energy, force, or activity..
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-02. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /ˌædʒɪˈteɪʃən/
Easy pronunciation: aj-i-TAY-shun (approximate spelling).
Stress: Stress falls on the third syllable, TAY.
Used for a state of unrest or turbulent change.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-11-02. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Agitation Meaning
a condition of unrest or rapid, unsettled change
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a state of unrest or turbulent change
Example: The country was in a state of agitation after the announcement.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- ferment — Fits the sense of active unrest or change.
- unrest — A close everyday synonym for social or political agitation.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-02. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Agitation
Meaning 2
public disturbance, often linked to protest
Part of speech: noun
Definition: disturbance usually in protest
Example: The election sparked agitation in the streets.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- turmoil — Works when agitation means public disorder or disruption.
- upheaval — Can fit large-scale disturbance or disruption.
Meaning 3
a very upset or disturbed mental state
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a mental state of extreme emotional disturbance
Example: He was in a state of agitation before the test results came back.
Meaning 4
the act of stirring or shaking something vigorously
Part of speech: noun
Definition: the act of agitating something; causing it to move around (usually vigorously)
Example: Agitation of the mixture helps the powder dissolve.
Meaning 5
a feeling of nervousness or inability to relax
Part of speech: noun
Definition: the feeling of being agitated; not calm
Example: She tried to hide her agitation during the interview.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-11-02. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Agitation Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- unrest
- ferment
public disturbance or protest-related disorder
- turmoil
- upheaval
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-02. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Using excitement as a synonym when the meaning is actually unrest or disturbance.
- Mixing up agitation as an emotional state with agitation as the act of stirring or shaking something.
- Using fermentation for everyday social or emotional agitation.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-02. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the meaning of agitation?
Agitation can mean unrest or turbulent change, a public disturbance, a very upset emotional state, or the act of stirring something vigorously.
What are synonyms for agitation?
For the main sense, good synonyms include unrest and ferment. Other senses can take words like turmoil or upheaval, depending on the context.
Is agitation always negative?
Not always, but it usually suggests tension, disturbance, or lack of calm rather than something pleasant.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-02. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
