stew 1 of 2

Definition of stewnext
1
as in huff
a state of nervous or irritated concern many in town are in a stew about the proposed plan to close at least one of the elementary schools

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2
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4
as in brothel
a building in which prostitutes are available a red-light district full of down and dirty stews

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stew

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to boil
to cook in a liquid heated to the point that it gives off steam stew the chicken till tender, and then remove the meat from the bones

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2
as in to worry
to experience concern or anxiety stop stewing over that game and just try to do better next time

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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 stew
Noun
These days, his legacy permeates the vibes here, encouraging locals and visitors to savor Sifnos’s flavors, from revithia (chickpea stew cooked overnight in a traditional clay pot) to manoura, a local cheese aged in wine lees. Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 23 Mar. 2026 So glad to see the produce aisles and farmers’ market bins busting out with green after a long winter of monochromatic offerings of beige braises and beefy brown stews. Catharine Kaufman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2026
Verb
There’s no reason to stew over this for 12 years. R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026 Those many Americans who still understand that freedom is the magic elixir that drives growth and prosperity are exiting blue states, leaving them to stew in their left-wing, socialist, low-growth and low-opportunity juices. Arkansas Online, 11 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stew
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stew
Noun
  • Among agonized grunts and huffs, Probst narrated the fumbles.
    Sarah Grant, New Yorker, 2 Feb. 2026
  • David walks out of the kitchen and Moira huffs and takes his spot over the pot.
    Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Add sugar and stir until sugar has completely dissolved.
    C.W. Cameron, AJC.com, 29 Mar. 2026
  • Punch took the world by storm after images of him dragging the orange plushy behind him circulated on social media, causing such a stir that the zoo has since made special rules to accommodate the influx of visitors.
    Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The 2024 World silver medalist brought her characteristic grace and glamour — and a new, high-scoring opening jump — to her Sophia Loren medley short program.
    Rachel Treisman, NPR, 27 Mar. 2026
  • Videos posted on social media showed an attack drone plowing into a building and setting off a fire in Lviv's city center -- a UNESCO World Heritage site with a medley of cobblestone streets and historic buildings.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Now, more than a decade later, the Love Ranch brothel has been demolished, but Odom is still around.
    Assistant Editor, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2026
  • He was treated at Sunrise Hospital in Las Vegas after he was found unconscious at the Love Ranch, a brothel in Crystal, Nevada, on October 13, 2025.
    Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 31 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • When the ale has boiled, pour over the eggs very slowly at first to prevent curdling, then pour backwards and forwards until the mixture appears all alike and smooth.
    Jay R. Brooks, Mercury News, 30 Mar. 2026
  • The research team tested water both before and after boiling and found that although lead levels remained below federal action thresholds, the process did not eliminate the risk of metal exposure.
    Bridget Shirvell, Hartford Courant, 29 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • In the 19th, Grace Panetta studied the answers in another Navigator focus group, from young women worried about economic ups and downs.
    David Weigel, semafor.com, 26 Mar. 2026
  • But residents worry what's next amid heightened military presence.
    Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The guys have put in blood, sweat and tears to develop a top-four defense two weeks ago.
    Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2026
  • Rumor had it the gym floor was sealed with the sweat of former players.
    Mark Glende, Twin Cities, 27 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Despite the initial commotion, Julie’s case went cold.
    Annalise Peterson, NBC news, 21 Mar. 2026
  • During the commotion, Gamel Kheir, the mosque’s secretary, pleaded for calm.
    Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 20 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Stew.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stew. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.

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