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

Prone to flooding, the Trinity has a soft bottom that’s constantly being stirred, causing prehistoric fossils and bones to surface. —Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 2 Apr. 2026

Use the potato masher to mix and stir the mixture to thoroughly combine. —Kate Williams, AJC.com, 2 Apr. 2026

Noun

This iris’ ornamental feature is unforgettable orange-red seeds, which, clustered at more than 20 per pod, create quite a stir when dozens of pods open simultaneously on mature plants. —Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 21 Mar. 2026

Take a look at some of the stellar hand mixers that created a stir. —Mark Marino, Bon Appetit Magazine, 18 Mar. 2026

Phrases Containing stir

• stir (up)