stir up

verb

stirred up; stirring up; stirs up

transitive verb

1

: to cause (someone) to feel a strong emotion and a desire to do something

The speech stirred up the crowd.

2

: to cause (something) to move up into and through the air or water

The workers stirred up a lot of dust.

3

: to cause (something, usually something bad or unpleasant) to happen

They're trying to stir up trouble.

But, of course, there's a reason politicians generally try to communicate deliberately: It helps them avoid saying things that might offend voters or stir up controversy.

—Philip Bump

I'm not a rebel, trying to stir things up just to be provocative.

—Norma Klein

… the incident stirred up a hornet's nest of protest and indignation.

—Robert T. Martinott

Examples of stir up in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This opposition could stir up unresolved issues that may require conversations that are uncomfortable but necessary. —Valerie Mesa, People.com, 9 Dec. 2024

That speech stirred up controversy, which of course is always good for a piece of entertainment in our world. —Lynette Rice, Deadline, 9 Dec. 2024

What Is Onion Jam? The name might stir up a few tears, but the final result is the exact opposite of tear-inducing. —Ann Taylor Pittman, Southern Living, 30 Nov. 2024

We Below Deck fans are truly blessed with no shortage of overconfident stews to stir up drama. —Emma Soren, Vulture, 26 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1