What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
fluster
Example
The unexpected news flustered her and she couldn't think straight. [flustered: past participle]
Example
He was flustered by the difficult exam questions and struggled to answer them. [flustered: adjective]
agitate
Example
The news of the environmental crisis agitated the activists and they started protesting. [agitated: verb]
Example
The constant noise from the construction site agitated the residents and they filed a complaint. [agitated: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Agitate is more commonly used than fluster in everyday language. Agitate is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while fluster is less common and refers to a specific type of emotional state.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between fluster and agitate?
Both fluster and agitate are informal words and are not typically used in formal contexts. However, agitate can be used in more serious or professional contexts when referring to political or social issues.