agitator

/ˈædʒɪteɪtə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈædʒɪteɪtər/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈa-jə-ˌtā-tər/ (ame, mw)

agitator — noun

  • agitatorsingular
  • agitatorsplural

1. a person who pushes other people to join protests or political action, often in

1.名詞C1
釋義

a person who pushes other people to join protests or political action, often in a way that increases anger or conflict

例句

Local officials called Reuben an agitator after he urged bus drivers to strike.

call + someone + an agitator after [action]

Nila became known as an agitator for organising noisy rent protests.

be known as an agitator for [campaign]

同義詞
  • activist

    broader and often more positive; an activist works for a cause over time, while an agitator stresses stirring people up

  • instigator

    focuses on starting trouble or action; it does not necessarily imply public or political mobilisation

  • rabble-rouser

    more informal and strongly disapproving; it suggests exciting a crowd into anger

反義詞
  • peacemaker

    someone who tries to calm conflict rather than inflame it

  • mediator

    a neutral person who helps opposing sides talk and reach agreement

文法句型

call/brand/portray + someone + an agitator

agitator + for/among + [group or cause]

用法筆記

Often used by governments, employers, or newspapers for someone who tries to push a group toward protest, strikes, or open resistance. It is usually more negative than activist and suggests deliberate provocation rather than steady campaigning.

常見錯誤

❌She is an agitator because she privately dislikes the mayor.
✅She is a critic of the mayor.
💡an agitator tries to stir other people into protest or collective action, not simply hold a negative opinion.