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
  • Like Harvey, Williams was asleep when she was awakened by a phone call from her husband, who was out of town.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Of course, be sure to call 911 immediately if the child is unconscious or cannot be awakened, is having difficulty breathing, has a seizure, or is experiencing another life-threatening symptom.
    — Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of awaken
Verb
  • Gizelle, who has been stirring the pot and playing producer for everyone on the trip, keeps up her conniving ways by sitting down all the RHOP ladies except for Candiace during their Potomac retrospective moment at the party.
    — Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2026
  • The Moon enters adventurous Leo, stirring your interest in travel, education, or an idea that could expand your options.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of stir
Verb
  • Like spacious minor-key chords given a subtle major-key lift, these color combinations can arouse powerful emotions that are excruciatingly just short of fulfillment.
    — Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Making the set attractive to the children will arouse their interest, encourage them to keep playing and push them to improve.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of arouse
Verb
  • Back in 2018, Tarantino reportedly awoke in the middle of the night to find two burglars inside his home.
    — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Alice gets to keep her leg, albeit with extensive scarring, and Anna does her best to forget about the sacrificial part of the pact until she is awoken one night by a noise downstairs.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of awake
Verb
  • Nobody ever seriously believed Belichick was going to morph into a headphones-wearing, sideline-waking Susan Lucci, the soap opera megastar who waited 19 years before finally winning a Daytime Emmy.
    — Steve Buckley, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2026
  • The best music; Cars still had a little style and nothing woke about sports.
    — Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 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 13 Sep. 2026.

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