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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stirring
John T. Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2025
Vanya runs off and Ani gets stuck tracking him down alongside a quiet, caring henchman (Yura Borisov) in a stirring Cinderella story of hope and human connection.
—Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 13 Feb. 2025
Emily Price, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
The team brewed the tea bags as a consumer would (minus the tea leaves) in sterile water heated to 95 degrees Celsius, or 203 degrees Fahrenheit, with constant stirring and then measured the number of plastic particles released.
—Jenna Anderson, Health, 19 Jan. 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
Then with some of the most stirring words in American oratory, Kennedy told the students — and all of us — that individual courage can be a powerful force for good.
—John T. Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2025
Vanya runs off and Ani gets stuck tracking him down alongside a quiet, caring henchman (Yura Borisov) in a stirring Cinderella story of hope and human connection.
—Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 13 Feb. 2025
Noun
Aim for about 20 seconds of stirring, which creates the right balance of dilution without watering it down too much.
—Emily Price, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
The team brewed the tea bags as a consumer would (minus the tea leaves) in sterile water heated to 95 degrees Celsius, or 203 degrees Fahrenheit, with constant stirring and then measured the number of plastic particles released.
—Jenna Anderson, Health, 19 Jan. 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 other half of my heritage traces back to Igbo culture, originating from Southeast Nigeria, a country famous for its bronze and terracotta art, breathtaking landscapes and vibrant Afrobeats scene.—
Ranyechi Udemezue,
Vogue,
16 Mar. 2025
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After years of tight restrictions on foreign property ownership, a recent court ruling has opened the door for international buyers to purchase land in one of the country’s most breathtaking locations.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Phillip Solomon had an unaired 'full emotional breakdown' during Deal or No Deal Island Sometimes players butt heads in the game but then make up and are friendly outside of it.—
Dalton Ross,
EW.com,
19 Mar. 2025
-
Gordon, 30, shared an emotional farewell to a number of wives and girlfriends of Kansas City Chiefs players after her fiancé, Mecole Hardman Jr., reportedly signed a new deal with the Green Bay Packers on Tuesday, March 18.—
Sean Neumann,
People.com,
19 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Home care workers who provide assistance to elderly and disabled Californians could see more wage equality, according to a recent labor report, by shifting contract negotiations to the state level instead of bargaining individually with California’s 56 individual counties.—
William Melhado,
Sacramento Bee,
8 Jan. 2025
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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
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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
-
In battle royale games like Fortnite, Apex Legends, and Call of Duty: Warzone, death is an immediate elimination, which can frustrate streamers trying to get exciting footage for their viewers — and there’s nothing more exciting than a win.—
Alyssa Mercante,
Rolling Stone,
20 Mar. 2025
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Massive tour coaches with comically large high-flotation tires are occasional sights on the park’s other roadways, but snowmobiles are much faster and more exciting mounts that allow unfettered views of the stunning park vistas and wildlife.—
Jeremy Korzeniewski,
Robb Report,
20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Betts leads her team in scoring with 19.7 points per game, shooting an impressive 63.2% from the field.—
Jenn Nelson,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
-
His double casting is an impressive stunt, somehow both meaningless and mesmerizing.—
Justin Chang,
The New Yorker,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The lander has been busy working through its science tasks.—
Amanda Kooser,
Forbes,
12 Mar. 2025
-
The New England Patriots have been extremely busy during Free Agency so far.—
Evan Massey,
Newsweek,
12 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Consider these categories of change agents: Change Catalyst: This person sparks movement and encourages others to embrace change.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes,
13 Mar. 2025
-
Some historians might trace airborne warfare to earlier conflicts, when reconnaissance balloons offered eagle-eyed views of battlefields and troop movements.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
13 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stirring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stirring. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
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