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
Adjective
Her stirring performance of the power ballad spent three weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and was nominated for three Grammy Awards. Taijuan Moorman, USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2024 Stepping out barefoot and donning a patchwork jacket dress, Musgraves received an introduction from host Sydney Sweeney before opening with the a stirring rendition of her new project’s title track. Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 3 Mar. 2024 Ultimately, Henson's journey serves as a stirring reminder of the transformative potential inherent in self-advocacy and financial empowerment. Kalina Bryant, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 But the 166-minute Part Two is even better, rising at the end to a stirring climax that could be called a cliffhanger — which indicates the need for a Dune: Part Three, although such a project has yet to be announced. Tom Gliatto, Peoplemag, 29 Feb. 2024 James and Kelli O’Hara have reunited as a dashing couple whose blossoming relationship is poisoned by addiction in the stirring new musical, Days of Wine and Roses. EW.com, 29 Jan. 2024 Its four songs are full of stirring guitars and angry-distant vocals that collide melody and noise. Steve Appleford, SPIN, 27 Feb. 2024 While Flowers is a fictional character, Aduba’s stirring performance is key in Painkiller to uncovering the truth and corruption of the pharmaceutical industry. Jp Mangalindan, Peoplemag, 25 Feb. 2024 The ads open with a stirring violin track, the subject striding confidently past the Broadway facade of the L.A. County Hall of Justice, or the Temple Street face of the United States Courthouse, or the Art Deco tower of City Hall. Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2024
Noun
The grandiosity of the song’s production — built almost exclusively around Moody’s sultry guitar — evokes the most stirring of James Bond themes, while the duo’s expansive combine vocal ranges trade off fluttery falsettos with robust full-voice crooning. Kyle Denis, Billboard, 20 Feb. 2024 But there were a few stirrings of hope Thursday, as Canales and Morgan poured forth their vision and threw in the occasional canine analogy. Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 2 Feb. 2024 Officials already see stirrings of violence in Europe, where on Monday a man claiming affiliation to Islamic State shot to death two Swedes in Brussels. Alan Cullison, WSJ, 20 Oct. 2023 Even the first stirrings of science began as outpourings of religious devotion to the moon. Rebecca Boyle, The Atlantic, 3 Jan. 2024 Get The Recipe 16 of 30 Tomato, Peach, and Corn Salad Just a little chopping and stirring are needed to create this quick salad that brings three of summer's best ingredients together. Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 21 Nov. 2023 There will be more stirrings in the regulation space. Daron Acemoglu, WIRED, 10 Jan. 2024 Feeling the first stirrings of love for an Los Angeles Dodgers fan: not as much. Tammy Lagorce, New York Times, 29 Dec. 2023 The story begins with the first stirrings of the naturalism that would define the Renaissance revolution in art. Eric Gibson, WSJ, 13 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'stirring.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 19 Mar. 2024.

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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!