stirring

1 of 2

adjective

stir·​ring ˈstər-iŋ How to pronounce stirring (audio)
1
2
: rousing, inspiring
a stirring speech

stirring

2 of 2

noun

: a beginning of motion or activity : movement
often used in plural
the first stirrings of revolution

Examples of stirring in a Sentence

Adjective a stirring rendition of the national anthem the message of brotherhood in Martin Luther King's stirring “I Have a Dream” speech still resonates today Noun I thought I detected a slight stirring of the leaves, and yet there wasn't a breath of wind.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
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
View Recipe 11 of 12 Risotto with Caramelized Onions, Bacon, and Mushrooms Don’t run away due to the fact that both caramelized or Frenched onions and risotto usually call for quite a bit of stirring. Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Jan. 2025 But there are also stirrings suggesting that Americans’ ancient impulses for self-organizing, public-minded work remain potent. Harry Boyte and Trygve Throntveit, TIME, 4 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for stirring 

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of stirring was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near stirring

Cite this Entry

“Stirring.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stirring. Accessed 15 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

stirring

adjective
stir·​ring
ˈstər-iŋ
: moving sense 3, inspiring
a stirring speech

More from Merriam-Webster on stirring

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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