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
New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2025
Among the film’s quietest, yet most stirring turns is Elle Fanning’s performance as Rachel, a famous American actress starring in Gustav’s latest film.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 31 Aug. 2025
Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
Smaller ice will need less stirring.
—Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 27 Sep. 2025
Greg Evans, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2025
Quickly remove from heat; carefully add cream, stirring constantly.
—Kathryn Gregory, Louisville Courier Journal, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stirring
Adjective
The researchers were interested in four music types classed as joyful, soft, stirring (passionate) and sad.
—New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2025
Among the film’s quietest, yet most stirring turns is Elle Fanning’s performance as Rachel, a famous American actress starring in Gustav’s latest film.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 31 Aug. 2025
Noun
But while the stirring victory was great for Elliott and Hendrick fans, one amazing overtime restart does not overcome the reality of the team’s current situation.
—Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
Smaller ice will need less stirring.
—Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 27 Sep. 2025
Verb
Ragtime opened at Broadway‘s Vivian Beaumont last week to strong reviews and solid box office, supporting new Lincoln Center theater artistic director Lear deBessonet’s judgement in opening her inaugural season with this soul-stirring revival.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2025
Quickly remove from heat; carefully add cream, stirring constantly.
—Kathryn Gregory, Louisville Courier Journal, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stirring
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stirring
Adjective
-
The rock formations of the Burren in County Clare create a barren but breathtaking landscape that stretches out to the sea.—
Bernadette Keith,
Travel + Leisure,
19 Oct. 2025
-
Black Swan excels by offering breathtaking dance choreography, and the film's gorgeous cinematography provides viewers with a tapestry of imagery unparalleled by most psychological horror films.—
Steven Thrash,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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His family said their final goodbyes to him during an emotional funeral procession on July 30, which took place in Birmingham.—
Nicholas Rice,
PEOPLE,
19 Oct. 2025
-
In what ways will his grief manifest this season, and what role will his struggle with sobriety play in his emotional journey?—
Alamin Yohannes,
Entertainment Weekly,
18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The unconventional thriller played like gangbusters to the buzzing New York crowd.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
7 Oct. 2025
-
At the time of his sentencing, Williams was a buzzing rapper, with his 2021 mixtape Shiesty Season, his only full-length project, peaking at Number Three on the Billboard 200.—
Andre Gee,
Rolling Stone,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Such unsupervised conversational shape-shifting would make this rogue Humbert particularly charismatic.—
Vauhini Vara,
The Atlantic,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Jones concluded this decline likely reflects fewer large investors and less intense buyer competition, with a housing market shifting, slowly, toward more balance.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
There is already so much disinformation swirling about voting systems and their security.—
Bente Birkeland,
NPR,
18 Oct. 2025
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These two names have been swirling in speculation about Cena's final matches.—
Matthew Couden,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Also on Sunday, Sturm scratched second line center Casey Mittelstadt, moving Pavel Zacha to center and re-inserting Khusnutdinov back into the lineup and onto the second line.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
20 Oct. 2025
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That said, there was energy for the gap scheme to be the default moving forward.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
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This tender, wry and thought-provoking story offers a different perspective on looking for love, regret and the ‘what if’ of it all.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
22 Oct. 2025
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Skims is no stranger to bold and thought-provoking products, having previously caused a stir with its controversial line of face wraps.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Watching these flux ropes in the simulation form so quickly and move toward Earth was exciting, but concerning.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
24 Oct. 2025
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Prior to undergoing Tommy John surgery in June 2024, Luis Perales had broken out as one of the Red Sox’s most exciting minor league pitchers.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stirring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stirring. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.
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