1
as in breathtaking
causing great emotional or mental stimulation
the message of brotherhood in Martin Luther King's stirring "I Have a Dream" speech still resonates today
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in emotional
having the power to affect the feelings or sympathies
a stirring rendition of the national anthem
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in buzzing
marked by much life, movement, or activity
spring has arrived, and the meadow is stirring with life
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in shifting
the act or an instance of changing position
I thought I detected a slight stirring of the leaves, and yet there wasn't a breath of wind
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
as in moving
to change one's position
the cat stirred, then opened its eyes and slowly got to its feet
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in provoking
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 stirring
Lance Eliot, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
The collection ends with a sweet and stirring sequel to Prep, returning to her boarding school for an alumni reunion—fan service of a kind, but also sheer delight.
—Vogue, 26 Dec. 2024
Claudia Alarcón, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024
View Recipe 11 of 12 Risotto with Caramelized Onions, Bacon, and Mushrooms
Don’t run away due to the fact that both caramelized or Frenched onions and risotto usually call for quite a bit of stirring.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Jan. 2025
Elizabeth Nelson, Southern Living, 5 Jan. 2025
Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally until almost soft, about 5 minutes.
—Ivy Odom, Southern Living, 4 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for stirring 
Adjective
Furthering the first approach, the second approach entails using generative AI to serve as a stirring motivator for fulfilling New Year’s resolutions throughout the year.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
The collection ends with a sweet and stirring sequel to Prep, returning to her boarding school for an alumni reunion—fan service of a kind, but also sheer delight.
—Vogue, 26 Dec. 2024
Noun
No ice or stirring are necessary for the drink’s preparation.
—Claudia Alarcón, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024
View Recipe 11 of 12 Risotto with Caramelized Onions, Bacon, and Mushrooms
Don’t run away due to the fact that both caramelized or Frenched onions and risotto usually call for quite a bit of stirring.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Jan. 2025
Verb
Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally, then remove from heat.
—Elizabeth Nelson, Southern Living, 5 Jan. 2025
Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally until almost soft, about 5 minutes.
—Ivy Odom, Southern Living, 4 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for stirring
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stirring
Adjective
-
An El Dorado Hills home that nearly set a residential sales record at $7 million is no longer on the market, but a new opportunity awaits just two miles away with an even more breathtaking view of Folsom Lake — at a fraction of the price.—
David Caraccio,
Sacramento Bee,
27 Jan. 2025
-
Some purists see voice-over as a crutch, but this feels like an excellent example of that technique done right, adding depth that Edgerton’s largely wordless performance and the breathtaking cinematography could not achieve without it.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
26 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
People feel abandoned or unprepared, amplifying the emotional toll.—
John Hope Bryant,
TIME,
18 Jan. 2025
-
These intelligent and emotional animals have been a part of human culture for centuries—as companions, workers and performers.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes,
18 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
The Daytime Emmys, which traditionally air in June (except when COVID and then the Hollywood strikes forced some rescheduling), will be shifting to October this year.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
8 Jan. 2025
-
The combination of low humidity, dry fuels, and shifting winds has heightened the potential for spot fires and rapid expansion.—
Russell Lewis,
NPR,
8 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
This will deepen the divide between the global North and South on issues of race and cultural difference, straining the West’s diplomatic relations with countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America while provoking broader resentment toward Western countries seen as perpetuating racial hierarchies.—
Matias Spektor,
Foreign Affairs,
7 Jan. 2025
-
In 2008, the United States suggested that Georgia and Ukraine might eventually join the alliance but offered no concrete path to membership, thus provoking Russia without effectively deterring it.—
Michael Beckley,
Foreign Affairs,
7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Those wins, along with the Kiwi's fun-loving personality and exciting fighting style, make his fights must-see TV.—
Simon Head,
Newsweek,
19 Jan. 2025
-
The coming years will undoubtedly bring exciting developments as Titans and similar architectures are refined and applied to a wide range of challenges in AI and beyond.—
Craig S. Smith,
Forbes,
19 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
At 5-foot-11 and 176 pounds, the Russian center is known for his impressive puck skills and ability to find the back of the net.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
21 Jan. 2025
-
Hemp seeds and flaxseeds have become popular for their impressive nutritional profiles and potential health benefits.—
Johna Burdeos,
Health,
20 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
This year will also be another busy summer of soccer.—
Melanie Anzidei,
The Athletic,
22 Jan. 2025
-
So far, the restaurants have been busy, Tanha said, adding that the brand’s hope is to lure locals as well as tourists.—
Connie Ogle,
Miami Herald,
22 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
The situation reflects broader market movements in response to geopolitical factors.—
Quartz Intelligence Newsroom,
Quartz,
24 Jan. 2025
-
The Bills’ last score with six minutes left — an exclamation point for the resounding win — had a funky movement.—
Jesse Newell,
Kansas City Star,
24 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near stirring
Cite this Entry
“Stirring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stirring. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share