agitator
noun
ag·i·ta·tor
ˈa-jə-ˌtā-tər 
: one that agitates: such as
a
: one who stirs up public feeling on controversial issues
political agitators
b
: a device or an apparatus for stirring or shaking
Synonyms
Examples of agitator in a Sentence
The police arrested several anti-government agitators.
a political agitator who led an unsuccessful revolt against the government
Recent Examples on the Web
The political bombers were a diverse bunch: socialist agitators, Russian nihilists, Irish republicans, German saboteurs.
—
Steven Johnson, New York Times, 17 May 2024
Other agitators, McConnehey said, included men who are not students using flashlights and bullhorns in late hours to wake up those sleeping in tents in the encampment.
—Chris Biderman, Sacramento Bee, 13 May 2024
Official have used outside agitator rhetoric in a handful of examples nationwide.
—Graham Lee Brewer, The Denver Post, 11 May 2024
Cynical agitators like Maher will always leverage incendiary moments for ratings and clicks.
—Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2024
The group also said Robbins’ statement refused to acknowledge the agitators and counter-protesters, many of whom were intoxicated, while also prioritizing the safety of law enforcement over that of unarmed students.
Reach the reporter at sarah.lapidus@gannett.com.
—Sarah Lapidus, The Arizona Republic, 2 May 2024
A day later, at least 108 students were suspended and removed after the school's president, claiming outside agitators were posing a risk on campus, asked the New York Police Department to intervene.
—Jennifer Vilcarino, ABC News, 10 May 2024
Daniel O’Shea, a former high-ranking official for the Chicago Police Department, said that law enforcement would be watching for signs of agitators who join a protest with the intent to disrupt it or break the law.
—Mitch Smith, New York Times, 8 May 2024
When Marjorie Taylor Greene announced her plans to oust Mike Johnson from the speakership, the conservative agitator committed to follow through on her threats and call a vote on the speaker’s future.
—Ken Tran, USA TODAY, 8 May 2024
Steven Johnson, New York Times, 17 May 2024
Other agitators, McConnehey said, included men who are not students using flashlights and bullhorns in late hours to wake up those sleeping in tents in the encampment.
—Chris Biderman, Sacramento Bee, 13 May 2024
Official have used outside agitator rhetoric in a handful of examples nationwide.
—Graham Lee Brewer, The Denver Post, 11 May 2024
Cynical agitators like Maher will always leverage incendiary moments for ratings and clicks.
—Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2024
The group also said Robbins’ statement refused to acknowledge the agitators and counter-protesters, many of whom were intoxicated, while also prioritizing the safety of law enforcement over that of unarmed students.
Reach the reporter at sarah.lapidus@gannett.com.
—Sarah Lapidus, The Arizona Republic, 2 May 2024
A day later, at least 108 students were suspended and removed after the school's president, claiming outside agitators were posing a risk on campus, asked the New York Police Department to intervene.
—Jennifer Vilcarino, ABC News, 10 May 2024
Daniel O’Shea, a former high-ranking official for the Chicago Police Department, said that law enforcement would be watching for signs of agitators who join a protest with the intent to disrupt it or break the law.
—Mitch Smith, New York Times, 8 May 2024
When Marjorie Taylor Greene announced her plans to oust Mike Johnson from the speakership, the conservative agitator committed to follow through on her threats and call a vote on the speaker’s future.
—Ken Tran, USA TODAY, 8 May 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'agitator.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near agitator
Cite this Entry
“Agitator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/agitator. Accessed 28 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
agitator
noun
ag·i·ta·tor
ˈaj-ə-ˌtāt-ər
1
: a person who stirs up public feeling
2
: a device for stirring or shaking
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