stir (up)

verb

Definition of stir (up)next
as in to provoke
to bring something (volatile or intense) into being couldn't stir up any interest in a Saturday morning outing to the art museum

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stir (up)
  1. provoke
  2. raise
Verb
  • Election gamble The strike follows weeks of demonstrations and encampments provoked by the eviction and subsequent death of an 87-year-old woman in Madrid.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 11 Nov. 2026
  • Retinoids, retinol and benzoyl peroxide raise sensitivity, and stacking additional exfoliation over them can intensify flaking or provoke new blemishes.
    — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Nov. 2026
Definition of provoke
Verb
  • Andy’s view The prospect of steep losses for Republicans in today’s midterms and the lame-duck presidency that ensues regardless raise a fundamental question about the outlook for a budding US-China détente.
    — Andy Browne, semafor.com, 3 Nov. 2026
  • In one video, Basabe appears to raise his voice at a man before turning around and shouting at a woman.
    — Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of raise
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.

Browse Nearby Words

stirs (up)
stir (up)
stitch
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Stir (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stir%20%28up%29. Accessed 15 Nov. 2026.

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