BESTIR Synonyms: 33 Similar and Opposite Words

bestir

verb

Definition of bestir

as in to awaken

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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

Verb

This case has awakened debates about infanticide laws, which provide legal defenses only to mothers who kill their infant.

— Dr. Susan Hatters Friedman, Hartford Courant, 23 Aug. 2026
The co-creators had already hinted that after season 1, the subsequent installments would take the action back to 1935 and 1908, as the creature awakens from his sleep cycle every 27 years.

— Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of awaken

Verb

Continue cooking, stirring frequently, for 10-15 minutes, until the breadcrumbs are evenly golden brown and crisp.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026
Race was not a focus of the arguments made to the jury, but the case has stirred racial tensions in the community, with the families and attorneys on both sides receiving threats.

— Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of stir

Verb

The boy awoke at a family cottage in northern Ontario in 2024 with a bat resting across his nose and mouth.

— Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
Newcastle yearned to win, to fulfil the dream awoken by Keegan — who died of cancer last month — and Isak was part of the team that finally did it, a languid forward with a kiss for a touch who scored at Wembley when Liverpool were beaten.

— George Caulkin, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of awake

Verb

For now, fans can only wonder if Game’s shots, and especially his conspicuous Drake cameo, are enough to wake Kendrick, who, for his part, has so far declined to publicly engage with the speculation surrounding his relationship to much of anything.

— Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2026
London — The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s upcoming return was plastered across UK’s front pages Thursday, as Britons woke to the surprise news that the couple will move back to the country after six years in the United States.

— Max Foster, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of wake

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besting

bestir

bestirred

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“Bestir.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bestir. Accessed 30 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of bestir

verb

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