stir up

verb

stirred up; stirring up; stirs up

transitive verb

1

: to cause (someone) to feel a strong emotion and a desire to do something

The speech stirred up the crowd.

2

: to cause (something) to move up into and through the air or water

The workers stirred up a lot of dust.

3

: to disturb the quiet of : agitate

a bear stirring up the bees

4

: to cause (something, usually something bad or unpleasant) to happen

They're trying to stir up trouble.

But, of course, there's a reason politicians generally try to communicate deliberately: It helps them avoid saying things that might offend voters or stir up controversy.

—Philip Bump

I'm not a rebel, trying to stir things up just to be provocative.

—Norma Klein

… the incident stirred up a hornet's nest of protest and indignation.

—Robert T. Martinott

Examples of stir up in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For those wondering what vibe the comedian—no stranger to stirring up controversy—is offering up this time, look no further than the special’s subtitle. — Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 14 Oct. 2026

The newcomers have stirred up some of the same fears and prejudices that fuelled movies set in the aftermath of the Second World War. — Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026

Rowdy, who loved his fans more than anything — and of course stirring up things. — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 10 Oct. 2026

Now, last week's death of 17-year-old Xavier Nungaray at a Highland Park high school has reignited concern and stirred up anger. — Luzdelia Caballero, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for stir up

• backup
• blowup
• breakup
• buildup
• checkup
• cleanup
• holdup
• hookup
• lineup
• lockup
• makeup
• markup