1
as in breathtaking
causing great emotional or mental stimulation
the message of brotherhood in Martin Luther King's stirring "I Have a Dream" speech still resonates today
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2
as in emotional
having the power to affect the feelings or sympathies
a stirring rendition of the national anthem
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3
as in buzzing
marked by much life, movement, or activity
spring has arrived, and the meadow is stirring with life
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as in shifting
the act or an instance of changing position
I thought I detected a slight stirring of the leaves, and yet there wasn't a breath of wind
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1
2
as in moving
to change one's position
the cat stirred, then opened its eyes and slowly got to its feet
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3
as in provoking
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stirring
Mike Wall, Space.com, 5 Apr. 2026
After a half-hour opening ceremony, featuring a light show, fireworks and a stirring rending of the national anthem by Marc Anthony, the game began.
—Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2026
Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 23 Apr. 2026
Grab your trusty Dutch oven and get to stirring.
—Amanda Favazza, Southern Living, 22 Apr. 2026
Eva Holland, The Atlantic, 30 Apr. 2026
By evening, disruptive Uranus enters your 12th House of Secrets and Solitude, stirring dreams, memories, and subconscious patterns.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stirring
Adjective
The parallels between the Artemis 2 and Apollo 8 moon missions now include a stirring holiday message.
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 5 Apr. 2026
After a half-hour opening ceremony, featuring a light show, fireworks and a stirring rending of the national anthem by Marc Anthony, the game began.
—Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2026
Noun
Any outdoor fires should be extinguished properly, such as by using plenty of water and stirring until everything is cold to the touch.
—Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 23 Apr. 2026
Grab your trusty Dutch oven and get to stirring.
—Amanda Favazza, Southern Living, 22 Apr. 2026
Verb
Whereas Lansing’s treatment of Shackleton’s Antarctic survival epic is stirring, Philbrick’s tale of the Essex is more like a horror story.
—Eva Holland, The Atlantic, 30 Apr. 2026
By evening, disruptive Uranus enters your 12th House of Secrets and Solitude, stirring dreams, memories, and subconscious patterns.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stirring
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stirring
Adjective
-
Their property sits in a short valley, with breathtaking views of the mountains in a small clearing.—
Spencer Wilson,
CBS News,
2 May 2026
-
Last fall, the cast and crew filmed key scenes throughout Milan (such as the Dolce & Gabbana fashion show) as well as at the breathtaking Villa Balbiano on Lake Como.—
Mara Reinstein,
Architectural Digest,
1 May 2026
Adjective
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Language development, emotional regulation, problem-solving, and relationship-building all begin before age three.—
Tina Dello Russo,
Boston Herald,
10 May 2026
-
The set was an emotional roller coaster with four deuces and eight service errors by the Highlanders.—
Justin Vigil Zuniga,
Daily News,
10 May 2026
Adjective
-
Along my walkway and all over my neighborhood, nasturtium flowers are opening like bright orange suns, fragrant lavender is attracting buzzing bees, and rosemary bushes are beginning to brighten with baby blue flowers.—
Senior Food Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
3 May 2026
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Drawing inspiration from both family recipes and a buzzing street food culture, Ngon’s dishes are vibrant and packed with flavor.—
Nathanael Gassett,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The conventions of American journalism don’t serve this shifting, multi-sided reality well.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Land borders dispute since 1948 The creation of the state of Israel in 1948, which led to the mass displacement of over 750,000 Palestinians and a subsequent Arab-Israeli war in 1948, led to a further shifting of borders in the region.—
Mireille Rebeiz,
The Conversation,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
There's everything from resentment to jealousy, favouritism, and deceit swirling around in a boiling-hot cauldron where fair is foul and foul is fair.—
Sergio Pereira,
Space.com,
6 May 2026
-
Questions have been swirling about whether Cunningham would caucus — join party meetings at the legislature — with Democrats or join Republicans.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
Adjust the pace, keep moving, and follow what feels expansive.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
9 May 2026
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The company evaluates Prime Day timing annually and felt that moving the event earlier in the summer was the best fit for customers this year, an Amazon spokesperson told CNBC Select.—
Ryley Amond,
CNBC,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Aliens, dystopian nightmares, and twisted realities are more than likely provoking a reaction from viewers that flies a lot closer to terrified.—
Grace Dean,
Space.com,
2 May 2026
-
Through the band members’ stories, Méndez guides readers expertly through a historical landscape that may be unfamiliar to them and examines thought-provoking ideas about art and protest.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
But that exciting crash sequence — from initial turbulence through to catastrophic Pacific Ocean landing — is where high-stakes action specialist Harlin is most firmly in his sweet spot.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Friends, networks and social circles can bring exciting connections now.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stirring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stirring. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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