STIR Synonyms: 278 Similar and Opposite Words

stir 1 of 3

verb

ˈstər

as in to swirl

to cause (as a liquid) to move about in a circle especially repeatedly the recipe says to stir the mixture carefully until it's properly blended

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Relevance

as in to shift

to change one's position the cat stirred, then opened its eyes and slowly got to its feet

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as in to provoke

to rouse to strong feeling or action news coverage of the fire stirred many to send donations to a fund for the families who had lost their homes

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stir

2 of 3

noun (1)

as in commotion

a state of noisy, confused activity the plane's first jolt caused a stir among the passengers, and by the third one they were in a panic

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as in shifting

the act or an instance of changing position we were warned that the slightest stir would scare the mother bird so we hardly dared to breathe

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stir

3 of 3

noun (2)

slang

as in jail

a place of confinement for persons held in lawful custody the mule had just got out of stir and was being followed by the feds, who had their sights set on the kingpin of the operation

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outside

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of stir

Verb

For foundations and philanthropic organizations, this means not shying away from public statements that risk stirring controversy. —

Jay Ruderman, Rolling Stone, 23 Jan. 2025 New California water delivery plan stirs debate Dec. 23, 2024 Trump similarly tried to alter California water regulations and policies during his first term. —

Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2025

Noun

Author Jim Murphy became an overnight celebrity in Philadelphia after Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown created a stir reading his book on the sidelines last Sunday. —

Isaac Avilucea, Axios, 16 Jan. 2025 Fittingly, the film causing a stir debuted at Sundance last year and, like Hester Street, takes her back to her New York roots. —

Damon Wise, Deadline, 12 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for stir

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stir

Verb

The question is already swirling Dec. 10, 2024 Becerra last week demurred when asked about his plans days after leaving his federal post.

— Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2025
Disney's island-hopping sequel, Jenkins' live-action/CGI swirl of a prequel, and the third run of the cyan speedster have accumulated impressive sums over their nine, six, and six respective weeks in theaters.

— Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 26 Jan. 2025