slightly agitated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slightly agitated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of mild disturbance or unease in someone's emotions or demeanor. Example: "After hearing the news, she felt slightly agitated and couldn't concentrate on her work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Phillips sounded slightly agitated as he answered questions about Gonzalez on Friday.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Freud paints him with a hollow, slightly agitated gaze below thinning hair, above glasses slid down the nose.

The New York Times - Arts

"Well, there's more journalists here because this is a press conference," Ms. Ossorio said, in a slightly agitated tone.

The New York Times

For the past couple of seasons, he has managed to toe the line between slightly agitated and fully enraged that he so often crossed as a rookie.

The New York Times - Sports

Both albums are perverse, slightly agitated, and playful, with many of the lyrics generated randomly and cut together from various sources (mostly Eno's own notebooks).

The New Yorker

"I'm not sure what it does that it's me instead — does it keep people in a slightly agitated state?" he wondered.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

The tubules were agitated slightly, and the liquid was removed in order to remove a proportion of interstitial cells.

EMBO Journal

Quetiapine is the favourite drug for hospitalised elderly who are slightly disorientated and mildly agitated, for example, who stand up and are at risks of falling.

BioMed Research International

The goal of this study was to investigate the validity and feasibility of the RASS-PAL, a version of the RASS slightly modified for palliative care populations, in patients experiencing agitated delirium or receiving PS.

BMC Palliative Care

I mean the music; she herself seemed mostly agitated, commenting on a distracting sound mix in her in-ear monitors and on a slightly cautioning preview of her New York shows that she'd read in a magazine that day.

The New York Times - Arts

"You're agitated".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a character's emotional state, use "slightly agitated" to convey a sense of unease without implying full-blown anger or panic. This can add nuance and realism to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "slightly agitated" in overly formal or academic writing where more precise or nuanced language might be more appropriate. Consider alternatives like "somewhat concerned" or "mildly apprehensive" in such contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly agitated" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun, indicating a mild state of unease or disturbance. As Ludwig suggests, it's frequently used to portray a character's subtle emotional state.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "slightly agitated" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adjective phrase that effectively conveys a mild state of unease or disturbance. Ludwig's analysis confirms its frequent appearance in News & Media and Science sources. When writing, use it to add nuance when describing emotional states, but be mindful of avoiding overuse in overly formal contexts where more precise language might be preferred. As Ludwig AI suggests, it strikes a balance between a neutral tone and specific emotional description.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat uneasy

Suggests a lack of comfort or peace of mind, highlighting a general sense of discomfort.

somewhat nervous

Focuses specifically on nervousness, indicating a state of apprehension or worry.

a little unsettled

Suggests a lack of stability or peace, emphasizing a feeling of being disturbed or displaced.

a little anxious

Implies a mild state of worry or unease, focusing on anxiety rather than outward agitation.

mildly disturbed

Indicates a slight disruption of one's peace of mind or tranquility, less intense than "agitated".

somewhat apprehensive

Implies a feeling of anxiety or fear about the future or a particular event.

mildly perturbed

Indicates a slight disturbance or irritation, emphasizing a more subtle emotional response.

slightly ruffled

Implies a minor disruption of composure or calm, akin to smoothing out wrinkles.

a bit edgy

Suggests a state of heightened tension or restlessness, bordering on anxiety or irritability.

a bit flustered

Describes a state of being rushed or confused, often due to unexpected events or pressure.

FAQs

How can I use "slightly agitated" in a sentence?

You can use "slightly agitated" to describe someone's emotional state. For example, "He seemed "slightly agitated" when he couldn't find his keys."

What can I say instead of "slightly agitated"?

You can use alternatives like "a little anxious", "somewhat uneasy", or "mildly perturbed" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "slightly agitated" or "mildly agitated"?

Both "slightly agitated" and "mildly agitated" are correct, but "slightly" suggests a less intense state than "mildly".

What's the difference between "slightly agitated" and "a little worried"?

"Slightly agitated" implies a more visible or outward expression of unease, whereas "a little worried" suggests a more internal state of concern.