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

Mercury is also squaring Saturn on Dec. 27, which could stir up frustrations with household plans and personal projects. —Valerie Mesa, People.com, 21 Dec. 2024

Having feelings stirred up is part of the therapeutic process. —Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024

Exploring seems to be a key theme in Cara’s career, as her music earnestly captures the complexities of growing into adulthood and how romantic relationships stir up all kinds of emotions. —Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 19 Dec. 2024

The fan participation was one of several moments on opening night, similar to, and more caffeinated than, the rousing crowd chorus that Harry Styles stirred up back here in November 2022. —Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 19 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1