stir

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verb

ˈstər

stirred; stirring

Synonyms of stir next

transitive verb

: to cause an especially slight movement or change of position of

tied so tightly he could scarcely stir a finger

: to disturb the quiet of : agitate

—often used with up

the bear stirred up the bees

: to disturb the relative position of the particles or parts of especially by a continued circular movement

stirred the paint with a paddle

stir the fire

—often used with up

stirred up mud from the lake bottom

: to mix by or as if by stirring

stir one's coffee

—often used with in

stir in the spices

: bestir, exert

: to bring into notice or debate : raise

—often used with up

stir up sensitive issues

: to rouse to activity : evoke strong feelings in

music that stirs the emotions

: to call forth (something, such as a memory) : evoke

stir happy remembrances

: provoke

stir a storm of controversy

—often used with up

stir up trouble

intransitive verb

: to make a slight movement

The leaves were barely stirring.

: to begin to move (as in rousing)

She heard him stirring in bed.

: to shift to another location : budge

haven't stirred since I arrived

: to begin to be active

The factory stirred to life.

: to be active or busy

Not a creature was stirring …—

Clement Moore

: to pass an implement through a substance with a circular movement

washed the spoon she was stirring with

: to be able to be stirred

Add water until the mixture stirs easily.

stirrer noun

stir

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noun (1)

: a state of disturbance, agitation, or brisk activity

: widespread notice and discussion : impression

the book caused quite a stir

: a slight movement

: a stirring movement

stir

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Example Sentences

Verb The cake batter must be stirred for 10 minutes. Stir one cup of sugar into the batter. She was stirred from her sleep by the noise. The breeze stirred the leaves on the tree. We could see people stirring inside the shop. A good book can stir the imagination. See More

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Some of the most popular dishes among customers include peanut tofu bowls, coconut chickpea curry, and tangy Thai stir fry. —

Talene Appleton, Men's Health, 20 Mar. 2023 While the circumstances of her disappearance stir an air of mystery over Amelia Earhart’s larger-than-life legacy, her 1937 Cord 812 Phaeton Convertible offers tangible insights into one of history’s most intriguing women. —

Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 10 Mar. 2023 Just add a scoop of the protein powder to an 8-ounce glass of ice-cold water, stir, and enjoy - what could be easier? —

Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 28 Feb. 2023 In some cultures, semolina is stir fried with eggs, ghee, and sugar to make a sweet dish called halwa. —

Manal Aman, Woman's Day, 27 Feb. 2023 Institutions like the British Embassy and the U.S. State Department feared that these students would stir anti-American sentiment and cause racial unrest. —

Jenn Dize, Rolling Stone, 26 Feb. 2023 Saying something dramatic to stir the pot might be the most obvious way to address your craving for excitement. —

Tarot Astrologers, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2023 Place on medium heat and stir continuously until the mixture thickens. —

Dana Mcmahan, The Courier-Journal, 21 Feb. 2023 Once cauliflower is fork tender, stir in hot sauce and any liquid drained from the kimchi, and green chiles, and simmer until sauce has reduced, about 5 minutes. —

Kim Sunée, Anchorage Daily News, 9 Feb. 2023

Noun

This curve-hugging, off-the-shoulder dress is sure to cause a stir. —

Lauren Hubbard, Town & Country, 11 Mar. 2023 No official statement has been made by the couple, but the sudden shift in ownership is sure to cause a stir. —

Amanda Curran, Glamour, 1 Mar. 2023 Naturally, the pictures caused a stir on the Internet. —

Starr Bowenbank, ELLE, 28 Feb. 2023 As the company intended, the bold move has already caused a stir on the internet. —

Alexandra Meeks, CNN, 22 Feb. 2023 Ellie Goulding and Tom Grennan's latest interaction causes a stir on social media. —

Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 13 Feb. 2023 Bobby Hull, the scoring dynamo of the 1960s who won a Stanley Cup with the National Hockey League’s Chicago Blackhawks before causing a stir by defecting for a big contract in the upstart World Hockey Association, has died. —

Laine Higgins, WSJ, 30 Jan. 2023 The pic, produced by Jordan’s The Imaginarium Films, Bayt Al Shawareb, and Egypt’s Lagoonie Group, didn’t cause a stir when distributor Mad Solutions released it theatrically across the region. —

Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 26 Jan. 2023 Who knew that a white tank top could cause such a stir? —

Kendall Becker, refinery29.com, 25 Jan. 2023 See More

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