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
Under the pretense of a back-to-school rules review, the sophomore through senior classes at Ruskin were treated to a stirring drumline performance before a shocked Sixta took the the stage. Ilana Arougheti updated October 7, Kansas City Star, 7 Oct. 2025 Anderson’s depiction of this process — a clever and orderly network of seemingly anonymous people performing clandestine miracles — is one of the most stirring aspects of the film, inspiring in its testament to mutual aid while sorrowful that such things have to exist at all. Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 17 Sep. 2025
Noun
The drums are gentle and stirring; the arrangement evokes a pulsing lullaby. Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 18 Oct. 2025 Add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes. Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 17 Oct. 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Stirring.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stirring. Accessed 24 Oct. 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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