Synonyms of stir

stir 1 of 4

verb (1)

ˈstər 

1

as in to swirl

to cause (as a liquid) to move about in a circle especially repeatedly

the recipe says to stir the mixture carefully until it's properly blended

Synonyms & Similar Words

• swirl
• wash
• whisk
• shake
• agitate
• whip
• churn
• whirl
• beat
• paddle
• reel
• wheel

2

as in to shift

to change one's position

the cat stirred, then opened its eyes and slowly got to its feet

Synonyms & Similar Words

• shift
• move
• twitch
• squirm
• budge
• fidget
• wiggle
• toss
• locomote
• rouse
• jiggle
• writhe
• wriggle
• fiddle
• squiggle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• freeze
• remain
• stay
• stabilize
• still
• hang around
• stick around
• tarry

3

as in to provoke

to rouse to strong feeling or action

news coverage of the fire stirred many to send donations to a fund for the families who had lost their homes

Synonyms & Similar Words

• provoke
• encourage
• stimulate
• arouse
• inspire
• incite
• spark
• excite
• move
• instigate
• motivate
• induce
• rev (up)
• fire (up)
• pique
• drive
• motive
• trigger
• ignite
• impassion
• anger
• inflame
• build a fire under
• galvanize
• activate
• foment
• energize
• set off
• ferment
• animate
• bother
• fan
• quicken
• vitalize
• kindle
• enrage
• upset
• raise
• whip (up)
• pump up
• annoy
• tease
• key (up)
• aggravate
• get
• taunt
• abet
• irritate
• exasperate
• vex
• jeer
• gall
• madden

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• calm
• subdue
• soothe
• appease
• placate
• pacify
• tranquilize
• mollify

stir

2 of 4

noun (1)

1

as in commotion

a state of noisy, confused activity

the plane's first jolt caused a stir among the passengers, and by the third one they were in a panic

Synonyms & Similar Words

• commotion
• disturbance
• hurry
• fuss
• turmoil
• storm
• noise
• racket
• clatter
• fun
• ruckus
• to-do
• uproar
• furor
• hurricane
• row
• bother
• furore
• clutter
• tumult
• coil
• roar
• stew
• bustle
• kerfuffle
• hoopla
• pandemonium
• whirl
• hubbub
• rumpus
• hullabaloo
• flurry
• ado
• zoo
• blather
• ruction
• pother
• do
• splore
• squall
• bluster
• moil
• shindy
• upheaval
• ballyhoo
• hurry-scurry
• foofaraw
• hoo-ha
• welter
• bobbery
• outcry
• clamor
• alarums and excursions
• unrest
• helter-skelter
• hurly-burly
• howl
• hurly
• din
• hubble-bubble
• flutter
• cacophony
• disorder
• eruption
• williwaw
• hue and cry
• outburst
• brawl
• scuffle
• outbreak
• fray
• fracas
• tizzy
• fever
• lather
• melee
• fret
• flare-up
• dither
• hassle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rest
• peace
• calm
• hush
• quiet
• stillness
• tranquility
• order
• quietude
• orderliness

2

as in shifting

the act or an instance of changing position

we were warned that the slightest stir would scare the mother bird so we hardly dared to breathe

Synonyms & Similar Words

• shifting
• stirring
• move
• shift
• movement
• motion
• relocation
• flapping
• twitching
• migration
• dislocation
• squirm
• mobility
• motility
• locomotion
• waving
• fiddling
• writhing
• squirming
• fidgeting
• wriggling
• motivity
• flailing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• inertia
• pause
• immobility
• stop
• motionlessness
• halt
• finish
• stillness
• termination
• shutdown
• lapse
• expiration
• stoppage
• cessation
• discontinuance
• ending
• inertness
• shutoff
• surcease

stir

3 of 4

noun (2)

slang

as in jail

a place of confinement for persons held in lawful custody

the mule had just got out of stir and was being followed by the feds, who had their sights set on the kingpin of the operation

Synonyms & Similar Words

• jail
• prison
• penitentiary
• brig
• pen
• jug
• calaboose
• lockup
• cooler
• can
• hold
• big house
• hock
• slammer
• bastille
• clink
• coop
• hoosegow
• slam
• jailhouse
• stockade
• pokey
• bridewell
• cage
• guardroom
• tank
• nick
• quod
• joint
• tolbooth
• bull pen
• cell
• dungeon
• concentration camp
• keep
• ward
• hole
• labor camp
• work camp
• prison camp
• block
• guardhouse
• glasshouse
• stalag
• hulk(s)
• reform school
• gulag
• reformatory
• training school
• oubliette

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• outside

stir (up)

4 of 4

verb (2)

as in to whip (up)

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

• provoke
• whip (up)
• raise
• promote
• trigger
• set in motion
• encourage
• incite
• stimulate
• pick
• foment
• ferment
• instigate
• abet
• cultivate
• set off
• brew
• forward
• further
• jazz (up)
• foster
• inspire
• nurture
• sow
• motivate
• advance
• nourish
• detonate
• rouse
• activate
• liven (up)
• pep (up)
• galvanize
• excite
• inflame
• energize
• set
• invigorate
• enliven
• quicken
• fire
• vitalize

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• check
• hold
• rein (in)
• restrain
• regulate
• discourage
• inhibit
• curb
• constrain
• tame
• settle
• calm
• quiet
• allay
• subdue
• bridle
• soothe
• still
• tranquilize

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of stir

Verb

Despite those declines, the parishes still stir fierce loyalty among the faithful, especially among the many who grew up on the West Side attending their schools, which send new students each year on to nearby Elder High School and Seton High School. —Dan Horn, Cincinnati Enquirer, 5 Feb. 2026

Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 3-4 minutes, or until the apples are lightly browned. —Gretchen McKay, Twin Cities, 5 Feb. 2026

Noun

And her presence causes a stir from the start. —Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2026

The first film was shot for $15,000, made a stir on the festival circuit and then was acquired by Paramount, which spent $200,000 more to create a new ending. —Brent Lang, Variety, 16 Jan. 2026

Phrases Containing stir

• stir (up)