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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stirring
Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2025
In a head-to-head 400 race in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Ledecky passed McIntosh on the final lap for a stirring win, finishing in 3:56.81, her second-best time ever.
—Zack Pierce, New York Times, 27 July 2025
Noah Kaufman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 June 2025
Inspired by the shifting seasons in Japan, this bright, botanical-forward cocktail is elegance in liquid form—no shaker or stirring required.
—Lanee Lee, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
Elizabeth Nelson, Southern Living, 5 Jan. 2025
Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally until almost soft, about 5 minutes.
—Ivy Odom, Southern Living, 4 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stirring
Adjective
But in the fleet, pacey manner of the editing, toggling between private and public moments with highlight-reel efficiency, the film is a stirring glimpse of top-down kindness as a winning leadership style.
—Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2025
In a head-to-head 400 race in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Ledecky passed McIntosh on the final lap for a stirring win, finishing in 3:56.81, her second-best time ever.
—Zack Pierce, New York Times, 27 July 2025
Noun
Medium-low heat, gentle stirring, stop before the eggs are fully set.
—Noah Kaufman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 June 2025
Inspired by the shifting seasons in Japan, this bright, botanical-forward cocktail is elegance in liquid form—no shaker or stirring required.
—Lanee Lee, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
Verb
Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally, then remove from heat.
—Elizabeth Nelson, Southern Living, 5 Jan. 2025
Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally until almost soft, about 5 minutes.
—Ivy Odom, Southern Living, 4 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stirring
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stirring
Adjective
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With its breathtaking views and uncompromising natural beauty, Aspen’s particular cultural phenomenon is its understanding that aesthetics are not ornamental but essential.—
Skylar Mitchell,
Essence,
5 Aug. 2025
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In warmer weather, accordion glass doors open to the outdoor patio with breathtaking views.—
Kinsey Giddick,
Travel + Leisure,
3 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Through back-and-forth-through-time storytelling, the film centers on Ryota’s emotional journey of honoring his late brother Sota’s legacy and overcoming his own pain to help elevate the team.—
Travis Bean,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
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Turner’s music perfectly evokes on an emotional level the sentiment of the film, the essence of a place and people that only exist in the past, Aljafari adds.—
Ed Meza,
Variety,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Home care workers who provide assistance to elderly and disabled Californians could see more wage equality, according to a recent labor report, by shifting contract negotiations to the state level instead of bargaining individually with California’s 56 individual counties.—
William Melhado,
Sacramento Bee,
8 Jan. 2025
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The combination of low humidity, dry fuels, and shifting winds has heightened the potential for spot fires and rapid expansion.—
Russell Lewis,
NPR,
8 Jan. 2025
Verb
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This will deepen the divide between the global North and South on issues of race and cultural difference, straining the West’s diplomatic relations with countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America while provoking broader resentment toward Western countries seen as perpetuating racial hierarchies.—
Matias Spektor,
Foreign Affairs,
7 Jan. 2025
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In 2008, the United States suggested that Georgia and Ukraine might eventually join the alliance but offered no concrete path to membership, thus provoking Russia without effectively deterring it.—
Michael Beckley,
Foreign Affairs,
7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Right now, the focus is on accelerating existing processes, but what is coming is both more frightening and exciting.—
Adrian Carr,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
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Having a baby is such an exciting time, every time.—
Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott,
Southern Living,
8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Her content — spanning across beauty tutorials, fashion hauls, and lifestyle vlogs — consistently connects with a devoted Gen-Z audience and averages an impressive 34.7 million views per TikTok post.—
Katcy Stephan,
Variety,
12 Aug. 2025
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The Russian army has historically relied on its ability to deliver impressive firepower through concentrated tube and rocket artillery fire, but these tactics are useless when any attempt to amass forces is identified within minutes.—
ERIC SCHMIDT,
Foreign Affairs,
12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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From ultrasounds to spacesuit assembly, Earth observations and monitoring blood flow, the seven members of the second half of Expedition 73 were kept busy this week aboard the International Space Station (ISS).—
Robert Z. Pearlman,
Space.com,
15 Aug. 2025
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While Earn and Learn helps teenager find employment, the program’s participants have been on a steady decrease since 2022 Kylee Jackson, 15, has kept her mornings busy this summer.—
Maya Bell,
jsonline.com,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
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As naturalistic gardens have grown in popularity, so too have the gorgeous ornamental grasses that provide a sense of airy texture and movement.—
Miranda Crowell,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 Aug. 2025
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Unlike Alzheimer's, FTD often causes dramatic personality changes, emotional withdrawal and problems with speech, movement and decision-making.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stirring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stirring. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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