Agitation vs. Disturbance — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Published on October 8, 2023
Agitation refers to a state of nervousness or anxious unease, while disturbance denotes an interruption or disruption of a normal condition or peace.
Difference Between Agitation and Disturbance
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Agitation often points towards a sense of restless unease, typically stemming from an emotional or psychological source. Someone feeling agitation might be anxious, worried, or perturbed by specific events or general circumstances. Disturbance, conversely, pertains to the interruption or break in a state of order, peace, or regularity. It's a broader term that can apply to a range of scenarios, from physical disruptions to mental disturbances.
Agitation can be viewed as a subtype of disturbance. While disturbance serves as a general descriptor for any event or state that disrupts normalcy, agitation specifically zooms into the emotional or psychological disarray. The former might be used to describe a loud noise interrupting a quiet afternoon, while the latter might detail someone's internal emotional response to that noise.
It's interesting that both agitation and disturbance have connotations tied to disruptions or interruptions. However, where agitation primarily concerns itself with mental or emotional states, disturbance has a more expansive reach. An ecosystem can experience disturbance, but it wouldn't be described as being in agitation.
The nuances of these words also play out in daily conversation. Someone might say they were disturbed by a graphic scene in a movie, implying it interrupted their sense of peace. Conversely, if they said the movie caused them agitation, it would mean the movie made them feel restless or uneasy.
Comparison Chart
Definition
A state of anxious unease.
An interruption or disruption of normalcy.
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Focus
Often emotional or psychological.
Broad, can be physical, emotional, or environmental.
Scope
A subtype of disturbance.
A general term for any disruption or interruption.
Common Contexts
Refers to internal emotional states.
Can describe external events or changes.
Examples
Can be feelings of unease or restlessness.
Refers to disruptions like loud noises or changes.
Compare with Definitions
Agitation
The arousal of public concern about an issue.
There was a growing agitation for reforms.
Disturbance
The act of disrupting the normal condition or peace.
There was a disturbance in the hallway during the meeting.
Agitation
The act of moving something vigorously.
The agitation of the liquid caused it to froth.
Disturbance
A public commotion or disorder.
The rally turned into a major disturbance.
Agitation
A forceful stirring or movement.
The machine provides constant agitation to mix the ingredients.
Disturbance
A physical force that disrupts.
The disturbance in the water indicated the presence of a large fish.
Agitation
Emotional disturbance or excitement.
She felt agitation at the unexpected news.
Disturbance
An interruption of a settled condition.
Environmental disturbances can impact wildlife.
Agitation
A mental state of restlessness or unease.
News of the event caused much agitation in the community.
Disturbance
An emotional or mental disruption.
The trauma caused a severe psychological disturbance.
Agitation
The act of agitating or the state of being agitated.
Disturbance
The act of disturbing
A disturbance of lake sediments.
Agitation
Extreme emotional disturbance; perturbation.
Disturbance
The condition of being disturbed
“The forest ... is in various stages of disturbance. Only the biggest trees ... have been left standing” (Alex Shoumatoff).
Agitation
The stirring up of public interest in a matter of controversy, such as a political or social issue.
Disturbance
Something that disturbs, as a commotion, scuffle, or public tumult.
Agitation
The act of agitating, or the state of being agitated; the state of being disrupted with violence, or with irregular action; commotion.
During a storm the sea is in agitation.
Disturbance
Mental or emotional unbalance or disorder.
Agitation
A disturbance of personal tranquillity; disturbance of someone's peace of mind.
She causes great agitation within me.
Disturbance
A variation in normal wind conditions.
Agitation
Excitement of public feeling by discussion, appeals, etc.
The antislavery agitation
Labor agitation
After this conflict pro-independence agitation temporarily died down.
Disturbance
(Geology) Folding or faulting that affects a relatively large area.
Agitation
(archaic) Examination or consideration of a subject in controversy, or of a plan proposed for adoption; earnest discussion; debate.
Disturbance
(Physics) An alteration or displacement of one or more properties of a physical system away from its equilibrium state.
Agitation
The act of agitating, or the state of being agitated; the state of being moved with violence, or with irregular action; commotion; as, the sea after a storm is in agitation.
Disturbance
The act of disturbing, being disturbed.
Agitation
A stirring up or arousing; disturbance of tranquillity; disturbance of mind which shows itself by physical excitement; perturbation; as, to cause any one agitation.
Disturbance
Something that disturbs.
That guy causes a lot of trouble, you know, he’s such a disturbance.
Agitation
Excitement of public feeling by discussion, appeals, etc.; as, the antislavery agitation; labor agitation.
Disturbance
A noisy commotion that causes a hubbub or interruption.
Agitation
Examination or consideration of a subject in controversy, or of a plan proposed for adoption; earnest discussion; debate.
A logical agitation of the matter.
The project now in agitation.
Disturbance
An interruption of that which is normal or regular.
Flutter in the dovecote
Agitation
A mental state of extreme emotional disturbance
Disturbance
(psychology) A serious mental imbalance or illness.
Agitation
A state of agitation or turbulent change or development;
The political ferment produced a new leadership
Social unrest
Disturbance
An interruption of a state of peace or quiet; derangement of the regular course of things; disquiet; disorder; as, a disturbance of religious exercises; a disturbance of the galvanic current.
Agitation
The feeling of being agitated; not calm
Disturbance
Confusion of the mind; agitation of the feelings; perplexity; uneasiness.
Any man . . . in a state of disturbance and irritation.
Agitation
Disturbance usually in protest
Disturbance
Violent agitation in the body politic; public commotion; tumult.
The disturbance was made to support a general accusation against the province.
Agitation
The act of agitating something; causing it to move around (usually vigorously)
Disturbance
The hindering or disquieting of a person in the lawful and peaceable enjoyment of his right; the interruption of a right; as, the disturbance of a franchise, of common, of ways, and the like.
Disturbance
Activity that is an intrusion or interruption;
He looked around for the source of the disturbance
There was a disturbance of neural function
Disturbance
An unhappy and worried mental state;
There was too much anger and disturbance
She didn't realize the upset she caused me
Disturbance
A disorderly outburst or tumult;
They were amazed by the furious disturbance they had caused
Disturbance
A noisy fight
Disturbance
The act of disturbing something or someone; setting something in motion
Disturbance
(psychiatry) a psychological disorder of thought or emotion; a more neutral term than mental illness
Disturbance
Electrical or acoustic activity that can disturb communication
Common Curiosities
Can "disturbance" describe emotional disruptions?
Yes, disturbance can refer to emotional or mental disruptions.
Are all disturbances negative?
Not necessarily, a disturbance might simply be a neutral interruption or change from the norm.
Can a machine cause agitation?
Yes, machines, like washing machines, use agitation to move or stir contents.
Is a disturbance always noticeable?
Not always. Some disturbances can be subtle and go unnoticed unless closely observed.
Can "agitation" be used to describe physical movement?
Yes, agitation can refer to the act of moving something vigorously.
Can calm environments have disturbances?
Yes, even typically calm environments can experience disturbances or interruptions.
Can you use "agitation" to describe the mixing process?
Yes, agitation can refer to a forceful stirring or movement in a mixing process.
Can agitation refer to public unrest?
Yes, agitation can describe the arousal of public concern or unrest about an issue.
Can agitation result from positive events?
Yes, even exciting or positive news can cause feelings of agitation in some individuals.
Can a disturbance be momentary?
Yes, disturbances can be brief or prolonged, depending on the context.
Is a disturbance always physical?
No, disturbances can be emotional, psychological, or even environmental.
Are disturbances always caused by external factors?
No, disturbances can be internal, such as emotional or psychological disturbances.
Is it possible for someone to feel agitation without an obvious cause?
Yes, individuals can experience agitation due to internal emotional or psychological factors.
Can animals show signs of agitation?
Yes, animals can become agitated due to various stimuli or changes in their environment.
Is it common for people to use "agitation" and "disturbance" interchangeably?
While they have overlap, they aren't always interchangeable due to their nuanced differences.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
