agitated mood

USAGE SUMMARY

"agitated mood" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is feeling tense or irritable. For example, "Joe was in an agitated mood after the news of the layoffs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

A nervous, agitated mood has settled across political life.

The New York Times

A time stamp sets the late hour (3:07 a.m.), while the graffiti, the bathroom stall, the tears, the blood, the bottle-blond hair and the swollen black eye set the agitated mood.

The New York Times

This might be relevant to the bidirectional behavioral dysfunction (depressed or agitated mood) characterizing BPAD.

Behavioral and Brain Functions

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Rather than give agitated patients mood-altering drugs, ElderServe aides might lead them by the hand into a softly lighted room, slip off their shoes and socks and massage their feet with a warm washcloth.

The New York Times

But his wife Danne, her demons agitated by the mood of the time, almost immediately took him to a new level of confusion.

The Guardian - Books

Her demurral strikes to the very real limitations and discomforts of both Gottino and Terroir, where space is tight, the mood is agitated, reservations aren't accepted and you could easily wind up standing and waiting 45 minutes for the privilege of straddling a stool.

The New York Times - Food

These were fierce, agitated, disintegrative objects, responses to his own mood of displacement, or to a post-colonial Africa entering dire, disillusioning times.

The New York Times - Arts

Bertelsmann project manager Isabell Hoffmann said: "What we have seen in our polling is that while the mood in the UK is incredibly agitated, the atmosphere on the continent has been relatively calm.

The Guardian

It both did and didn't benefit the castaways that the mood in Mexico at that moment was particularly agitated.

The New Yorker

His group maintains the essence of the new tango, which translates structural experiments into mood swings: astringent to sultry, gruff to tender, agitated to buoyant.

The New York Times

They needed to, the mood in the coaching box having turned increasingly agitated as a 19-3 leadwindleded to a three-point margin by the 46th minute and the Wallabies, skewered at scrum-time, cranked up their intensity.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a character's internal state, use "agitated mood" to convey a sense of restlessness and unease that is not as intense as panic or fury. This phrase is particularly effective when contrasting it with external calmness.

Common error

Avoid substituting "agitated mood" with stronger terms like "furious" or "hysterical" unless the context genuinely warrants it. "Agitated mood" suggests a milder, yet still noticeable, state of inner turmoil. Using stronger words can create an exaggerated effect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "agitated mood" functions as a noun phrase, where "agitated" modifies the noun "mood". As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and describes a state of being restless or disturbed.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "agitated mood" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a state of emotional unrest and restlessness, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Although the phrase isn't very common, it appears in both News & Media and scientific contexts. Related phrases include "restless state of mind" and "uneasy emotional state". When writing, it's best to use "agitated mood" to convey a specific, active type of unease and to avoid substituting it with stronger terms unless truly warranted. The phrase can be employed in formal and informal settings. Overall, "agitated mood" is a useful, albeit somewhat rare, descriptor for capturing a state of inner turmoil.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

restless state of mind

Emphasizes the inability to relax or be still mentally.

uneasy emotional state

Highlights a lack of comfort and potential anxiety.

disturbed emotional state

Implies a more profound disruption of emotional equilibrium.

perturbed frame of mind

Focuses on a feeling of being unsettled or anxious.

anxious disposition

Indicates a general tendency towards worry and apprehension.

tense mental condition

Stresses the presence of mental strain and pressure.

unsettled feeling

Captures a general sense of discomfort and unease.

worried mental state

Highlights the presence of concern and preoccupation.

fretful mindset

Emphasizes the tendency to be anxious and concerned about small things.

on edge

Captures a state of being nervous and easily startled.

FAQs

How can I describe a similar but less intense feeling than "agitated mood"?

You might consider using phrases like "uneasy feeling" or "restless mood" to convey a less pronounced sense of inner turmoil.

What are some contexts where using "agitated mood" would be appropriate?

This phrase works well when describing a character experiencing internal conflict, facing uncertainty, or dealing with a stressful situation that doesn't necessarily lead to outward anger. You might describe someone as having an "agitated mood" before a big presentation or after receiving bad news.

Is "agitated mood" formal or informal language?

The phrase "agitated mood" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, making it versatile for various writing styles. However, bear in mind that other phrases such as "restless mood" or "uneasy feeling" may sound more natural in very informal settings.

What's the difference between "agitated mood" and "anxious mood"?

While both describe states of unease, "agitated mood" suggests a more active or restless form of discomfort, whereas "anxious mood" implies a greater focus on worry and apprehension about the future. Someone in an "agitated mood" might pace around, while someone in an "anxious mood" might be paralyzed by their fears.