agitate

Everyday

1. To make someone feel worried, nervous or upset. tree →
2. To shake or stir a liquid hard. tree →
3. To argue or campaign publicly to make a change happen. tree →

In the lessons

In science, agitate means shake or stir (washing machines agitate clothes). In history and civics, people agitate for rights. In stories, a character is agitated. Phrases: «agitate for/against».

Examples

• The loud noise agitated the dog. tree →
• Agitate the jar to mix the paint. tree →
• Workers agitated for better pay. tree →
• Don't agitate your sister before bed. tree →
• The washing machine agitates the clothes. tree →
• Women agitated for the vote. tree →
• "Remember that I am hatching eggs; it may agitate me, and will affect them." tree →

Note

Noun: agitation; person: agitator. Past: agitated. Formal compared with «upset» or «shake».