stirring

1 of 2

adjective

stir·​ring ˈstər-iŋ How to pronounce stirring (audio)
Synonyms of stirringnext
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
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Adjective
Using stirring rhetoric, Kennedy boldly declared America’s opposition to Communism in the Cold War, promoted civil rights, championed Tax Cuts, and challenged Americans to land astronauts on the moon. New York Times, 11 June 2026 The stirring power of soul is alive in a few cross-generational musicians carrying on the legacy in distinct ways. Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 22 May 2026
Noun
Sit in mushrooms, zucchini, cheese and basil, cooking and stirring constantly until eggs coat ingredients. Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2026 Repeating the boiling water and stirring process a few times should eliminate the colony. Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 17 June 2026 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

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Cite this Entry

“Stirring.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stirring. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

stirring

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

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