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v. ag·i·tat·ed, ag·i·tat·ing, ag·i·tates v.tr. 1. To cause to move with violence or sudden force. 2. To upset; disturb: was agitated by the alarming news. 3. To arouse interest in (a cause, for example) by use of the written or spoken word; discuss or debate. v.intr. To stir up public interest in a cause: agitate for a tax reduction. [Latin agitāre, agitāt-, frequentative of agere, to drive, do; see ag- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] agi·tat′ed·ly (-tā′tĭd-lē) adv. agi·ta′tive adj. Synonyms: agitate, churn, convulse, rock2, shake These verbs mean to cause to move to and fro violently: surface water agitated by the boat's propeller; a storm churning the waves; buildings convulsed by an explosion; a hurricane rocking trees and houses; an earthquake that shook the ground. |
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