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
Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2026
Among a standout cast in Kenneth Lonergan's stirring family drama, Affleck deftly navigates a whole range of emotions as a contentious Boston handyman and black sheep of his New England hometown.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 9 Mar. 2026
The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
Hansi Flick’s side bowed out despite a stirring recovery after losing the first leg 2-0.
—Greg O'Keeffe, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2026
Kelly McCarthy, ABC News, 16 Apr. 2026
Ken writes like a poet, gushing about his love for dinosaurs and making a stirring argument for why studying dinosaurs means something.
—Steve Brusatte, Scientific American, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stirring
Adjective
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
Among a standout cast in Kenneth Lonergan's stirring family drama, Affleck deftly navigates a whole range of emotions as a contentious Boston handyman and black sheep of his New England hometown.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 9 Mar. 2026
Noun
My grandmother just kept sprinkling water and stirring until all the flour gathered into loose clumps, no longer powdery but not yet sticky.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
Hansi Flick’s side bowed out despite a stirring recovery after losing the first leg 2-0.
—Greg O'Keeffe, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2026
Verb
Spread the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet and bake, stirring halfway through, until golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes.
—Kelly McCarthy, ABC News, 16 Apr. 2026
Ken writes like a poet, gushing about his love for dinosaurs and making a stirring argument for why studying dinosaurs means something.
—Steve Brusatte, Scientific American, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stirring
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stirring
Adjective
-
The $10 per-vehicle day-use fee grants access to its breathtaking vistas, amazing hiking trails, and more.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Boston has learned how to turn petri dishes into IPOs with breathtaking speed.—
Ed Gaskin,
Boston Herald,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Snitker grew emotional while thanking his friend and mentor in his speech.—
Gabriel Burns,
AJC.com,
26 Apr. 2026
-
His emotional reaction to the announcement of his name was caught on camera during the draft telecast.—
Steve Megargee,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Located near Phipps Plaza and Lenox Square, these elegant accommodations are in the neighborhood's buzzing fashion district.—
Ellie Nan Storck,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Apr. 2026
-
On the handful of occasions in each game between them when Jokic catches at the elbow and his teammates clear out, an anxious hush invariably falls over a buzzing arena.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
5 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
-
Sections of the granite supports of the Keck statue are cannily manipulated and embellished with stars and swirling vortex-forms in Lithichrome paint into works of art themselves.—
Horace D. Ballard,
Artforum,
22 Apr. 2026
-
The first half of the day is social, busy and swirling with messages from friends or coworkers.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Step back, limit input, and process what’s coming up before moving forward with clearer boundaries.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
-
April 19 guest commentary The recent commentary on the Colorado Connector rail service was supportive of moving ahead.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Chris Young’s Beyond Earth column explores the intersection of space technology and policy, providing thought-provoking commentary on the latest advancements and regulatory developments in the sector.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Apr. 2026
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The company’s failure to repay billions of dollars of wealth management products unleashed frustration among the lower and middle classes, many of whom had investments wiped out, provoking protests and threatening social stability.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Each meal needs to be exciting, easy, healthy, and affordable.—
Shilpa Uskokovic,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
21 Apr. 2026
-
This element of permanence is exciting to Stark, who has created looks for Beyoncé and has her own, body-positive line of lingerie called Panty.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stirring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stirring. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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