agitation

[ aj-i-tey-shuhn ]
/ ˌædʒ ɪˈteɪ ʃən /

noun

the act or process of agitating; state of being agitated: She left in great agitation.
persistent urging of a political or social cause or theory before the public.
Also called psychomotor agitation. psychological and physical restlessness, manifested by pacing, hand-wringing, or other activity, sometimes occurring as a symptom of severe depression, schizophrenia, or other mental disorder.

Origin of agitation

1560–70; < Latin agitātiōn- (stem of agitātiō); see agitate, -ion

synonym study for agitation

1. Agitation, disturbance, excitement, turmoil imply inner unrest, uneasiness, or apprehension. Agitation implies a shaken state of emotions, usually perceptible in the face or movements: With evident agitation she opened the telegram. Disturbance implies an inner disquiet caused by worry, indecision, apprehension, or the like: Long-continued mental disturbance is a cause of illness. Excitement implies a highly emotional state caused by either agreeable or distressing circumstances: excitement over a proposed trip, unexpected good news, a fire. Turmoil suggests such a struggle or conflict of emotions that one is unable to think consecutively: Her thoughts were in a hopeless turmoil.

OTHER WORDS FROM agitation

Example sentences from the Web for agitation

British Dictionary definitions for agitation

agitation
/ (ˌædʒɪˈteɪʃən) /

noun

a state of excitement, disturbance, or worry
the act of moving something vigorously; the shaking or stirring of something
the act of attempting to stir up public opinion for or against something

Derived forms of agitation

agitational, adjective