as in rebel
a person who stirs up public feelings especially of discontent
a political agitator who led an unsuccessful revolt against the government
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Recent Examples of agitator
The Lightning were without Brandon Hagel and Anthony Cirelli, two of the main agitators from the first matchup.
—
Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2026
Columbia students, along with outside agitators, broke into an academic building and temporarily detained the janitors inside.
—Rose Horowitch, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026
On March 1st, the right-wing online agitator Ian Miles Cheong posted a video from a Dubai club where uniformed employees danced with sparklers and liquor bottles.
—Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2026
Christian women wishing to reunite their families without calling for Hitler’s demise, or the release of all Jews, were harder for the regime to portray as political enemies or criminal agitators.
—Danielle Wirsansky, The Conversation, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for agitator
Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2026
Columbia students, along with outside agitators, broke into an academic building and temporarily detained the janitors inside.
—Rose Horowitch, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026
On March 1st, the right-wing online agitator Ian Miles Cheong posted a video from a Dubai club where uniformed employees danced with sparklers and liquor bottles.
—Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2026
Christian women wishing to reunite their families without calling for Hitler’s demise, or the release of all Jews, were harder for the regime to portray as political enemies or criminal agitators.
—Danielle Wirsansky, The Conversation, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for agitator
Recent Examples of Synonyms for agitator
Noun
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Rwanda frames its role as defensive measures to protect its territory from Hutu rebels responsible for the 1994 genocide in Rwanda.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 Apr. 2026
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The series emphasizes hope and the power of collective action, providing a nuanced look at both the rebels and the individuals within the Empire, ultimately highlighting the enduring relevance of its themes of oppression and resistance in today’s world.—
Brande Victorian,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The complaints were both filed about a month apart by Jeremy Fetzer, a political consultant who also runs the political action committee Osceola Action Committee and is a supporter of Mayor Jackie Espinosa, who is herself facing ethics charges.—
Natalia Jaramillo,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 Apr. 2026
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The zoo, which celebrates its 200th anniversary this week, has announced plans to build a new medical center that will feature a viewing gallery for visitors, thanks to a donation of £20 million ($27 million) from a long-term supporter who is not being identified.—
Lianne Kolirin,
CNN Money,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Does the rise of right-wing demagogues offer chilling parallels to the Pinochet era?—
Christopher Vourlias,
Variety,
22 Apr. 2026
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Leftist demagogues specialize in lose-lose-lose policies.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Since arriving on the scene almost a decade ago, the trio have presented themselves as firebrands, ready to stick it to an establishment seeking to strangle the last remnants of 20th century Irish republicanism.—
Dean Van Nguyen,
Pitchfork,
30 Apr. 2026
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But the resume this native of the central Mexico state of San Luis Potosí brought to the paper was that of a firebrand.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
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While living in Dubai, Kinahan presented himself as a legitimate boxing promoter.—
Ed Caesar,
New Yorker,
30 Apr. 2026
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King is a prominent boxing promoter who has worked with some of the most successful boxers over the course of his 50-year career.—
PEOPLE,
PEOPLE,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
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At the same time, many national security proponents and experts in the intelligence community argue that such restrictions would impede law enforcement efforts and pose severe national security risks.—
Jared Perlo,
NBC news,
26 Apr. 2026
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Last Tuesday, the California Secretary of State reported that proponents, led by the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, had turned in more than enough valid signatures to county registrars, ensuring that voters will be given an opportunity to restore the original intent of Proposition 13.—
Jon Coupal,
Oc Register,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The internet’s onetime lovably messy provocateur has indeed turned over a new leaf, personally and professionally, and entered her Brand Safe era.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Apr. 2026
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Alliances with independents and provocateurs can bring younger crowds to the traditional news fold in an era when such viewership is not guaranteed.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Kidal's capture in a similar militant-insurgent alliance over a decade ago was at the root of the security crisis that has shaken Mali.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2026
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Mali has faced years of escalating insurgent violence; the ruling military junta, which pledged to restore stability in a 2020 coup, turned to Russia for assistance in its counterinsurgency campaign.—
Lauren Morganbesser,
semafor.com,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Agitator.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agitator. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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