stirring

1 of 2

adjective

stir·​ring ˈstər-iŋ 

1

: active, bustling

2

: rousing, inspiring

a stirring speech

stirring

2 of 2

noun

: a beginning of motion or activity : movement

—often used in plural

the first stirrings of revolution

Synonyms

Adjective

• breathtaking
• charged
• electric
• electrifying
• exciting
• exhilarating
• exhilarative
• galvanic
• galvanizing
• hair-raising
• heart-stopping
• inspiring
• intoxicating
• kicky
• mind-bending
• mind-blowing
• mind-boggling
• rip-roaring
• rousing
• stimulating
• thrilling

Noun

• motion
• move
• movement
• shift
• shifting
• stir

Examples of stirring in a Sentence

Adjective

a stirring rendition of the national anthem

the message of brotherhood in Martin Luther King's stirring “I Have a Dream” speech still resonates today

Noun

I thought I detected a slight stirring of the leaves, and yet there wasn't a breath of wind.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Shocked into taking a political stand, Mann turned a birthday speech in honor of the Nobel Prize–winning author Gerhart Hauptmann into a stirring call for democracy. —George Packer, The Atlantic, 5 Nov. 2024

The film tells a simple story simply, focusing on the stirring desires of its characters — and their growing understanding that acting on those desires might leave them heartbroken. 3. —Keith Phipps, Vulture, 1 Nov. 2024

Noun

The first stirrings of a backlash are already here. —Nate Jones, Vulture, 9 Nov. 2024

Related Video Madelyn Cline Counts ‘Friends’ Characters as Her Style Inspiration Gascón’s tour de force performance, by turns terrifying, sly, comic, and stirring—with singing and dancing to boot—has been duly embraced by critics. —Lisa Wong MacAbasco, Vogue, 1 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

stirring

adjective

stir·​ring

ˈstər-iŋ

: moving sense 3, inspiring

a stirring speech