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
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
Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 24 Oct. 2025
Add the tomato paste, chiles in adobo, chili powder, cumin, oregano and paprika and cook, stirring, for about 1 minute.
—Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 24 Oct. 2025
Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Nov. 2025
You’re being called deeper into your desires for intimacy, depth, and soul-stirring truth — and not just romantically, but spiritually, intellectually, and even professionally.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 2 Nov. 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
Related Stories The film explores how colonial-era conflicts resurface through supernatural events, with spirits returning and black magic stirring as the legacy of empire haunts the land and its inhabitants in Bujang Valley.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 24 Oct. 2025
Add the tomato paste, chiles in adobo, chili powder, cumin, oregano and paprika and cook, stirring, for about 1 minute.
—Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
Cook, stirring often, until thick and bubbly, or for about 3 minutes.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Nov. 2025
You’re being called deeper into your desires for intimacy, depth, and soul-stirring truth — and not just romantically, but spiritually, intellectually, and even professionally.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 2 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stirring
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stirring
Adjective
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That prevented a walk-off fielder’s choice and set the stage for the equally breathtaking play that ensued.—
Chandler Rome,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
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Given how much of the story takes place in a confined setting, when one character launches themselves across a table to attack another, the moment is breathtaking.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Some do not have the emotional wherewithal to to observe that others have needs as well.—
Joni Eareckson Tada,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
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Players, coaches, executives and ownership groups have come and gone, but the team remains despite a lengthy and emotional relocation saga that nearly resulted in a move to Seattle.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Patterson, 53, was introduced by City Manager Marcus Jones to a buzzing room at a press conference Monday morning at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
3 Nov. 2025
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The unconventional thriller played like gangbusters to the buzzing New York crowd.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The shifting of hair hairstyles.—
Donnetta Monk,
Essence,
24 Oct. 2025
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Such unsupervised conversational shape-shifting would make this rogue Humbert particularly charismatic.—
Vauhini Vara,
The Atlantic,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Some have likened the controversy surrounding Savin's display of old-time mobsters to the debate swirling around old statues of Confederate generals.—
Tovia Smith,
NPR,
24 Oct. 2025
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There's plenty of headlines swirling before Game 1 begins Friday at Rogers Centre.—
Tim Crowley,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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As Semafor previously reported, many inside the magazine were excited by Guiducci’s arrival, believing the old Vanity Fair was moving too slowly, had fallen too far outside the zeitgeist, and had lost some of its sheen.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
3 Nov. 2025
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Tulane University said moving research animals is routine but governed by strict confidentiality agreements to protect the animals’ safety and the parties’ proprietary information.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
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At best, all of his perhapses and could have beens will lead to unexpected, thought-provoking conclusions.—
Isaac Butler,
The Atlantic,
3 Nov. 2025
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This is an installment of The Nightcrawler, a weekly collection of thought-provoking articles on tech, innovation, and long-term investing by Eric Markowitz of Nightview Capital.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Shirley Valentine serves as an escape for those who envision a life more exciting, a fact to which Collins attributed its success.—
Lisa de los Reyes,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Nov. 2025
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Surveying the broader landscape of AI benchmarks, Mahdi said researchers and developers have many exciting avenues to explore.—
Jared Perlo,
NBC news,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stirring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stirring. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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