ad͡ʒɪˈteɪʃ(ə)n æ.d͡ʒɪˈteɪ.ʃən ɪkˈsaɪtmənt fəˈmɛnt fɚˈmɛnt ˌfɜː(ɹ)mənˈteɪʃən ˌhʌləbəˈluː ˌhʌləbəˈlu ˈtɜːmɔɪl ʌnˈɹɛst ʌpˈhi.vəl the act of agitating something; causing it to move around (usually vigorously) disturbance usually in protest the feeling of being agitated; not calm a state of agitation or turbulent change or development the political ferment produced new leadership social unrest a mental state of extreme emotional disturbance