: a beginning of motion or activity : movement
—often used in plural
the first stirrings of revolution
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
The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2025
Add collard greens, stock, and 2 teaspoons paprika; bring to a simmer over medium, stirring and scraping bottom of skillet.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 10 Mar. 2025
Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 27 Feb. 2025
This evidence for the presence of liquid water on the ancient body from which Bennu formed provides a tantalizing possibility: the possibility that Bennu’s progenitor may have seen the first stirrings of life.
—Tom Hawking, Popular Science, 29 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stirring
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Adjective
If 10 years from now this site is still a massive vacant lot, the Lincoln Yards embarrassment will make Block 37 look by comparison a stirring success.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2025
Add collard greens, stock, and 2 teaspoons paprika; bring to a simmer over medium, stirring and scraping bottom of skillet.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 10 Mar. 2025
Noun
Johanna’s worldly bearing and otherworldly beauty; the unbearable stirrings of jealousy aroused when her teacher bonds with other students; the deeper bond that forms when Johanne impulsively pays a visit to Johanna’s apartment.
—Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 27 Feb. 2025
This evidence for the presence of liquid water on the ancient body from which Bennu formed provides a tantalizing possibility: the possibility that Bennu’s progenitor may have seen the first stirrings of life.
—Tom Hawking, Popular Science, 29 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stirring
Cite this Entry
“Stirring.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stirring. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
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