bestir

verb

Definition of bestirnext
as in to awaken

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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 bestir Newspapers can barely bestir themselves to report on the latest inhumanity in Ukraine — the latest bombing of a school, say. — Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 25 Nov. 2024 The New York Times finally bestirred itself to report on Reade’s charges, burying them on page A20 of its Easter Sunday edition. — Nr Editors, National Review, 16 Apr. 2020 If the charges against Bob Kraft are proven to be true, then Goodell should bestir himself to punish the Patriots owner severely, and with something beyond a fine. — Charles P. Pierce, Sports Illustrated, 16 Mar. 2019 Drew Nolan caused his coach, Harry Litwack, to bestir himself from the bench. — Frank Fitzpatrick, Philly.com, 8 June 2018 Nobody in all his years of coaching at Temple has bestirred Litwack from the bench so often as Drew Nolan. — Frank Fitzpatrick, Philly.com, 8 June 2018 And yet most of us have still not bestirred ourselves to care, much less to march in the streets demanding change. — Dino Grandoni, Washington Post, 19 Sep. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bestir
  1. awaken
  2. stir
  3. arouse
  4. awake
  5. wake
Verb
  • The picture unfolds against the backdrop of a family digital detox vacation in a house in a Swedish forest which takes a terrifying turn when a teenager discovers an old modem and unwittingly awakens a dormant, sadistic demon when it is fired up.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2026
  • There is still time for the Republican Party to awaken from its slumber and stand up in the history of our nation for freedom-loving peoples across Europe.
    — Bob Kustra, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of awaken
Verb
  • All of them are troubled by increasing animosity from their many political adversaries, especially because the series’ big bad, an immortal named Koschei the Deathless, seems to be stirring in mysterious ways.
    — Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Her father, who was Jonah’s partner, killed himself after the disappearance of his wife, just to stir in some extra disaster to start.
    — Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of stir
Verb
  • The most arousing thing to a woman is a man who’s aroused by her.
    — Rachel Handler, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2026
  • But that won’t keep them from trying, and when people’s passions are aroused, and emotions crowd out reasoned thought, anything can happen.
    — Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of arouse
Verb
  • The Heat awoke Tuesday as the NBA’s only 0-4 team and thoroughly bewildered about how a group that fashioned itself a contender could continue to perform so poorly.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Reaves was held scoreless during the first quarter, but awoke for 15 points in the second.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of awake
Verb
  • In 1784, Benjamin Franklin proposed the idea that people wake earlier to take advantage of morning sunlight and reduce their use of candles.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 30 Oct. 2026
  • That structure won’t eliminate the symptoms waking you up, however.
    — Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of wake

Browse Nearby Words

besting
bestir
bestirred
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Cite this Entry

“Bestir.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bestir. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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