1
2
as in to shift
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 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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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 stir
The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 June 2025
Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture becomes thick.
—Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 June 2025
Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025
Ohtani’s return to pitching caused a stir around Chavez Ravine.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for stir
Verb
Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until reduced by half, 7 to 10 minutes.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 June 2025
Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture becomes thick.
—Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 June 2025
Noun
Later on, Zegler caused a stir with politically divisive social media posts about the 2024 presidential election.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025
Ohtani’s return to pitching caused a stir around Chavez Ravine.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for stir
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stir
Verb
-
Despite the macroeconomic factors swirling over Wall Street, a relative calm has descended across markets.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
27 June 2025
-
Industry speculation is already swirling: will Condé Nast promote from within Wintour’s tight inner circle, or make a bold move toward a new, more digitally fluent voice?—
Jailynn Taylor,
Essence,
26 June 2025
Verb
-
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act intends to shift a portion of the program’s funding to states to reduce the rate of payment errors made by states administering the nation’s largest food assistance program.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
1 July 2025
-
Coherence, for him, emerges through process, through these layers and fragments that come together for a moment, only to shift again.—
Nargess Banks,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
Verb
-
Run adversarial simulations, employ red teams, and commission third-party evaluations that deliberately try to provoke harmful behaviors.—
Aytekin Tank,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
-
Don't run away or climb a tree, which may provoke a chase.—
Kaycee Sloan,
The Enquirer,
8 July 2025
Verb
-
Each garment piece is dyed and washed with a tie-dye effect before being assembled, creating a one-of-a-kind look when combined with other pieces.—
Andrea Onate,
Footwear News,
1 July 2025
-
Scrub the container: When you’re done soaking the container, wash it with dish soap and warm water.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
30 June 2025
Verb
-
Through the soil created by centuries of decomposing plant life, through rocks ground down by shifting rivers and slowly moving mountains.—
Camila Domonoske,
NPR,
8 July 2025
-
The sale runs through July 11, but the best stuff’s already moving fast, so don’t wait too long to check out.—
Annie Blackman,
Allure,
8 July 2025
Verb
-
The bills’ sponsors and advocates are encouraged by the bipartisan support received so far.—
Lauren Jessop,
The Washington Examiner,
30 June 2025
-
Popular online influencers with millions of followers have encouraged Holocaust denial.—
Tom Dreisbach,
NPR,
30 June 2025
Verb
-
In a medium bowl, whisk the egg yolks for about 60 seconds until light yellow and increased in volume, then whisk in the cornstarch and about 1/4 cup of the milk.—
Amy Drew Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 June 2025
-
In a small bowl whisk together the remaining lemon juice, olive oil, dry mustard, and salt and pepper to taste.—
Mary Ann Esposito,
Boston Herald,
25 June 2025
Verb
-
In fact, scientists say today's children are exposed to far fewer antigens—the components that stimulate immune responses—than their grandparents were, despite receiving more immunizations overall.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 June 2025
-
The Cancer new moon stimulates your visionary capacities.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
25 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stir.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stir. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share