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
  • The Austrian performance artist behind Seaworld Venice is having a moment, after a career spent staging productions that involve herself and which provoke strong reactions.
    — Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 23 July 2026
  • He was also sent off for a headbutt against an opponent who provoked him in his last ever match, which happened to be the 2006 World Cup final; his human reaction laid bare on the highest stage of all.
    — Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 21 July 2026
Definition of provoke
Verb
  • The Athletic put the points raised in this article to United.
    — Andy Mitten, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • State workers used the forum to raise $9,000 in under three weeks for an Interstate 80 billboard protesting the RTO order.
    — Ruyuan Li. Summary produced by AI assistance, Sacbee.com, 22 July 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 26 Jul. 2026.

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