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
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2
as in emotional
having the power to affect the feelings or sympathies
a stirring rendition of the national anthem
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3
as in buzzing
marked by much life, movement, or activity
spring has arrived, and the meadow is stirring with life
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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
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1
2
as in moving
to change one's position
the cat stirred, then opened its eyes and slowly got to its feet
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stirring
Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 31 July 2025
Ford was captured delivering a stirring speech in a state of visible emotion on the day his Apple TV+ series, Shrinking, wrapped its third season.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 23 July 2025
Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 9 June 2025
Cook for 20 minutes, without opening the lid or stirring, until the pork is evenly browned on the bottom and the vegetables are softened and lightly browned.
Remove the vegetables from the grill and transfer to a blender.
—Jess Fleming, Twin Cities, 27 Apr. 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
Moreover, an unforeseen twist adds an extra enticing layer to the already stirring and genre-defying show.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 31 July 2025
Ford was captured delivering a stirring speech in a state of visible emotion on the day his Apple TV+ series, Shrinking, wrapped its third season.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 23 July 2025
Noun
But there’s something brewing here, the stirrings of something that could be really special …
… if the organization doesn’t screw it up.
—Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 9 June 2025
Cook for 20 minutes, without opening the lid or stirring, until the pork is evenly browned on the bottom and the vegetables are softened and lightly browned.
Remove the vegetables from the grill and transfer to a blender.
—Jess Fleming, Twin Cities, 27 Apr. 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
-
The singer, 28, and content creator, 27, exchanged vows in front of 100 of their closest friends and family members on Wednesday, Aug. 27, at Rockefeller Center's 620 Loft & Garden overlooking New York City's breathtaking cityscapes and St. Patrick’s Cathedral.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
People.com,
29 Aug. 2025
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This is a breathtaking exhibit featuring paintings of France's dairy workers, farmers, markets and restaurants.—
Keith Pandolfi,
The Enquirer,
28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The former couple, who share son Sasha and daughter Kai, revealed that Sasha left home for college in emotional tributes shared on Instagram.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
23 Aug. 2025
-
This all comes a few days after another emotional moment from the Queen during a VJD service.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
But shifting that show to October will give NATAS more time to find a new broadcast partner.—
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
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Sailors will also find exciting yachts in the Wallywind 110, the Swan 88, or the Sunreef 60, 70, and 80 models.—
Kathleen Turner,
Forbes.com,
23 Aug. 2025
-
On Friday night, FC Juarez faces off with Santos Laguna in exciting Liga MX soccer action, with both teams desperate for a win.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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While both teams boast impressive lineups, the tournament host site will also be one of the stars of the weekend.—
Zach Schenfisch,
Forbes.com,
25 Aug. 2025
-
That means that New Line and Warner Bros.’ horror sensation Weapons will be listed as the official winner of the Aug. 22-24 frame with $15.6 million in its third outing for a horrifyingly impressive global cume of nearly $200 million, or $199.4 million through Sunday.—
Pamela McClintock,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Getty Images Swifties have been busy celebrating Taylor Swift’s engagement to Travis Kelce, but one group of fans—the Gaylors—haven’t taken the news so well.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
-
The 2025 college football offseason was busy for the Louisville Cardinals and Kentucky Wildcats.—
Ray Padilla,
The Courier-Journal,
28 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Trump said earlier this month that Vance is the most likely heir to his MAGA movement, but Vance continued to brush off speculation about his 2028 plans.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
29 Aug. 2025
-
The Democratic Party is just an anti-Trump movement.—
,
FOXNews.com,
28 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stirring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stirring. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.
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