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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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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
Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2026
Texas nearly blew it against NC State in the First Four, but senior Tramon Mark’s stirring game-winner saved the day.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 19 Mar. 2026
Jamie Thilman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 Apr. 2026
Those principles inspired the first stirrings of experimental education in the United States.
—Austin Sarat, The Conversation, 17 Apr. 2026
Eva Holland, The Atlantic, 30 Apr. 2026
By evening, disruptive Uranus enters your 12th House of Secrets and Solitude, stirring dreams, memories, and subconscious patterns.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stirring
Adjective
After a half-hour opening ceremony, featuring a light show, fireworks and a stirring rending of the national anthem by Marc Anthony, the game began.
—Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2026
Texas nearly blew it against NC State in the First Four, but senior Tramon Mark’s stirring game-winner saved the day.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 19 Mar. 2026
Noun
But for the vast majority of everyday cooking tasks—stirring, folding, sautéing, serving—high-quality silicone outperforms the competition on the merits that matter most.
—Jamie Thilman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 Apr. 2026
Those principles inspired the first stirrings of experimental education in the United States.
—Austin Sarat, The Conversation, 17 Apr. 2026
Verb
Whereas Lansing’s treatment of Shackleton’s Antarctic survival epic is stirring, Philbrick’s tale of the Essex is more like a horror story.
—Eva Holland, The Atlantic, 30 Apr. 2026
By evening, disruptive Uranus enters your 12th House of Secrets and Solitude, stirring dreams, memories, and subconscious patterns.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stirring
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stirring
Adjective
-
Their property sits in a short valley, with breathtaking views of the mountains in a small clearing.—
Spencer Wilson,
CBS News,
2 May 2026
-
Last fall, the cast and crew filmed key scenes throughout Milan (such as the Dolce & Gabbana fashion show) as well as at the breathtaking Villa Balbiano on Lake Como.—
Mara Reinstein,
Architectural Digest,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
As the Moon enters Sagittarius, your 4th House of Home becomes more active, bringing attention to your environment and emotional base.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
3 May 2026
-
That can show up as emotional suppression, difficulty naming or expressing needs, chronic stress or a sense that vulnerability is unsafe.—
Lisa Deaderick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 May 2026
Adjective
-
Along my walkway and all over my neighborhood, nasturtium flowers are opening like bright orange suns, fragrant lavender is attracting buzzing bees, and rosemary bushes are beginning to brighten with baby blue flowers.—
Senior Food Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
3 May 2026
-
Drawing inspiration from both family recipes and a buzzing street food culture, Ngon’s dishes are vibrant and packed with flavor.—
Nathanael Gassett,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The conventions of American journalism don’t serve this shifting, multi-sided reality well.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Land borders dispute since 1948 The creation of the state of Israel in 1948, which led to the mass displacement of over 750,000 Palestinians and a subsequent Arab-Israeli war in 1948, led to a further shifting of borders in the region.—
Mireille Rebeiz,
The Conversation,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
There's everything from resentment to jealousy, favouritism, and deceit swirling around in a boiling-hot cauldron where fair is foul and foul is fair.—
Sergio Pereira,
Space.com,
6 May 2026
-
Questions have been swirling about whether Cunningham would caucus — join party meetings at the legislature — with Democrats or join Republicans.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
He was instructed to respond by moving his eyes from left to right, and sure enough, the researchers counted two rightward movements of his eyes.—
Shayla Love,
New Yorker,
1 May 2026
-
The sophisticated set by ace production designer David Gropman enables Altman’s perpetually moving and zooming camera to drift in and out of two-way mirrors that depict memories and fantasies with both immediacy and a gauzy nostalgia.—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Aliens, dystopian nightmares, and twisted realities are more than likely provoking a reaction from viewers that flies a lot closer to terrified.—
Grace Dean,
Space.com,
2 May 2026
-
Through the band members’ stories, Méndez guides readers expertly through a historical landscape that may be unfamiliar to them and examines thought-provoking ideas about art and protest.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
But that exciting crash sequence — from initial turbulence through to catastrophic Pacific Ocean landing — is where high-stakes action specialist Harlin is most firmly in his sweet spot.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Friends, networks and social circles can bring exciting connections now.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stirring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stirring. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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