1
2
as in to shift
to change one's position
the cat stirred, then opened its eyes and slowly got to its feet
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to provoke
to rouse to strong feeling or action
news coverage of the fire stirred many to send donations to a fund for the families who had lost their homes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in commotion
a state of noisy, confused activity
the plane's first jolt caused a stir among the passengers, and by the third one they were in a panic
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in shifting
the act or an instance of changing position
we were warned that the slightest stir would scare the mother bird so we hardly dared to breathe
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in jail
a place of confinement for persons held in lawful custody
the mule had just got out of stir and was being followed by the feds, who had their sights set on the kingpin of the operation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of stir
Jayna Bardahl, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
Remove pan from heat and stir in pecans, coconut, and vanilla.
—Ann Taylor Pittman, Southern Living, 24 Apr. 2025
Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Apr. 2025
This case is still causing a stir in international law, with people discussing expropriation and investor rights—issues that the Russian elite relegated to afterthoughts to protect political concerns.
—Ken Silverstein, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stir
Verb
Amid one of the steepest high-profile draft slides in recent memory, Sanders’ situation stirred plenty of reaction from those within and outside of the football sphere.
—Jayna Bardahl, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
Remove pan from heat and stir in pecans, coconut, and vanilla.
—Ann Taylor Pittman, Southern Living, 24 Apr. 2025
Noun
This caused a stir within the hiking and ultra running community, leading some to question the legitimacy of Leininger’s FKT.
—Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Apr. 2025
This case is still causing a stir in international law, with people discussing expropriation and investor rights—issues that the Russian elite relegated to afterthoughts to protect political concerns.
—Ken Silverstein, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stir
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stir
Verb
-
Cook, swirling butter and stirring often, until butter is golden brown and has a nutty fragrance, 2 to 3 minutes more.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
2 May 2025
-
Clues that pointed astronomers to these locations included swirling gas influenced by an early planet’s gravity, as well as rings and gaps of dust inside dust disks.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
30 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The long stretch of disruptive severe weather and flash flooding across portions of the central and eastern United States will be shifting east Saturday.—
Nadine El-Bawab,
ABC News,
3 May 2025
-
Uncertainty around import costs had already shifted the global supply chain, and the stock market had fallen sharply.—
Oliver Whang,
New Yorker,
3 May 2025
Verb
-
These tales were layered, open to interpretation, and meant to provoke reflection and herein lies their enduring power.—
Sonya Rehman,
Forbes.com,
26 Apr. 2025
-
Trump’s comments have provoked a strong reaction, including boycotts on U.S. goods and protests.—
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The brand reworked some of its most famous styles for the capsule, like reimagining washed denim jackets into denim chore-style coats.—
Violet Goldstone,
Footwear News,
2 May 2025
-
They are easily packed, lightweight, wash easily, and come in many colors.—
Aly Walansky,
Travel + Leisure,
1 May 2025
Verb
-
Some of those are moving along very well, especially the – with the Asian countries.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2025
-
Golden eagles will forage during migration flights and use this uplift from heated air, which also comes from open landscapes, to move efficiently during migration and seasonal movements.—
Noël Fletcher,
Forbes.com,
27 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
To achieve those, leaders should consider creating cultures that encourage workers to take breaks, set boundaries, and focus their energies on outcomes.—
Adia Harvey Wingfield,
Forbes.com,
1 May 2025
-
Valencia said the seeds encourage rodents to enter the stadium and that the machines required to clean up the shells were causing noise pollution for those living close to their Mestalla stadium.—
Colin Millar,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
Verb
-
Had he been whisked away to a hospital or something?—
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
28 Apr. 2025
-
After a round of treatment, the doctors granted Betsy permission to whisk him away to Little Pipe Cay to convalesce.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
27 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Laser resurfacing uses the same technology to remove the top layer of skin and stimulate collagen production.—
Carrie Madormo, RN, MPH,
Verywell Health,
30 Apr. 2025
-
Monthly Job Swaps: Nothing stimulates understanding and empathy more than walking in someone else's shoes.—
Kelly Leonard,
Forbes.com,
29 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stir.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stir. Accessed 9 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share