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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of stirring
Lance Eliot, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
The collection ends with a sweet and stirring sequel to Prep, returning to her boarding school for an alumni reunion—fan service of a kind, but also sheer delight.
—Vogue, 26 Dec. 2024
Nate Jones, Vulture, 9 Nov. 2024
Related Video Madelyn Cline Counts ‘Friends’ Characters as Her Style Inspiration
Gascón’s tour de force performance, by turns terrifying, sly, comic, and stirring—with singing and dancing to boot—has been duly embraced by critics.
—Lisa Wong MacAbasco, Vogue, 1 Nov. 2024
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
Furthering the first approach, the second approach entails using generative AI to serve as a stirring motivator for fulfilling New Year’s resolutions throughout the year.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
The collection ends with a sweet and stirring sequel to Prep, returning to her boarding school for an alumni reunion—fan service of a kind, but also sheer delight.
—Vogue, 26 Dec. 2024
Noun
The first stirrings of a backlash are already here.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 9 Nov. 2024
Related Video Madelyn Cline Counts ‘Friends’ Characters as Her Style Inspiration
Gascón’s tour de force performance, by turns terrifying, sly, comic, and stirring—with singing and dancing to boot—has been duly embraced by critics.
—Lisa Wong MacAbasco, Vogue, 1 Nov. 2024
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
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Accessible only by a scenic hike or kayak, this pristine spot offers a tranquil retreat with breathtaking views.Melissa Noel, Essence, 15 Jan. 2025
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Los Angeles is a place of breathtaking beauty, and some people rely on the natural environment for emotional support.Brittney Melton, NPR, 14 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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These intelligent and emotional animals have been a part of human culture for centuries—as companions, workers and performers.Scott Travers, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025
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People feel abandoned or unprepared, amplifying the emotional toll.John Hope Bryant, TIME, 18 Jan. 2025
Verb
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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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As of next year, the European Film Academy is shifting its gala from December to mid-January to better position the EFAs in the award season.Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 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
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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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Moreover, with Uranus stationing direct — in your committed seventh house of relationships and commitments — there could be exciting new developments or unexpected shifts in your approach to others or within the foundation of a close relationship.Valerie Mesa, People.com, 19 Jan. 2025
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Those wins, along with the Kiwi's fun-loving personality and exciting fighting style, make his fights must-see TV.Simon Head, Newsweek, 19 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Oregon transfer Chance Gray has been impressive, averaging a career-best 16 points per game in her first year in Columbus, and the explosiveness of Freshman of the Year candidate Jaloni Cambridge make this year’s Buckeyes especially dangerous.Ben Pickman, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
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Perovskite solar cells that are seriously impressive.Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, Fox News, 8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office in just over a week, the returning commander in chief has scheduled a busy weekend of meetings with House Republicans to discuss policy priorities for the incoming administration.Cami Mondeaux, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 11 Jan. 2025
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Not many pieces require such heroics: the reality is that fact checkers are busy people, who traffic only occasionally in the dark arts of deep research.Fergus McIntosh, The New Yorker, 11 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Exposure to different movements helps prevent injury and increases range of motion.Amanda Schupak, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2025
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Wearing compression stockings, exercising regularly, protecting your skin from the sun, and taking frequent movement breaks throughout the day can all help reduce your risk.Laura Schober, Health, 12 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near stirring
Cite this Entry
“Stirring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stirring. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
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