Word: agitated

Associations

"Agitated" means feeling very upset or disturbed. It often describes someone who is restless, anxious, or unable to calm down.

• Example 1: "After the argument, she felt agitated and couldn't focus on her work." - This shows that the argument caused her to feel upset and distracted.
• Example 2: "The loud noises from the construction site left him feeling agitated all day." - Here, the external noise made him uncomfortable and anxious.
• Example 3: "He became agitated when he didn't receive any updates on his application." - This example shows that not knowing made him restless and anxious.

A synonym for "agitated" is "anxious." The main difference is that "anxious" often refers more to worry about the future, while "agitated" focuses on current discomfort or irritation.

Substitution

You can use words like "disturbed," "upset," or "restless" in place of "agitated."

• Using "disturbed" may make it sound more serious, like something is troubling someone deeply.
• "Upset" could show more of an emotional response compared to "agitated."
• "Restless" emphasizes not being able to stay still but doesn't necessarily indicate upset feelings.

Deconstruction

The word "agitated" comes from the Latin root "agitare," which means "to set in motion or upset."

• The prefix "a-" is a variant of "ad-" meaning "to" or "toward."
• The root "git" comes from "agere," meaning "to do" or "to act."
• The suffix "-ed" indicates it is describing a state (past participle form).

Inquiry

• Can you think of a time when you felt "agitated"? What made you feel that way?
• How do you usually calm down when you are agitated?
• Are there certain situations or places that often make you feel agitated? Why do you think that is?