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
Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 29 Aug. 2025
But when the phone rang a week later, the 24-year-old was given a stirring slap of reality.
—Dave Quinn, People.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Andy Mitten, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
Bake 30 minutes or until golden stirring every 10 minutes.
—Catharine Kaufman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Aug. 2025
Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Sep. 2025
But Taylor Swift‘s forthcoming album is big enough to be stirring a return to that bygone phenomenon.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 7 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stirring
Adjective
James Folta’s nice thing of the week involves a stirring and unexpected reunion with a Proustian cheese.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 29 Aug. 2025
But when the phone rang a week later, the 24-year-old was given a stirring slap of reality.
—Dave Quinn, People.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Noun
Before every game, as the players gather in the tunnel, the first stirring chords of The Stone Roses’ anthem ‘This Is the One’ are played.
—Andy Mitten, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
Bake 30 minutes or until golden stirring every 10 minutes.
—Catharine Kaufman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Aug. 2025
Verb
Cook stirring frequently until walnuts are coated, about 5 to 6 minutes.
—Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Sep. 2025
But Taylor Swift‘s forthcoming album is big enough to be stirring a return to that bygone phenomenon.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 7 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stirring
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stirring
Adjective
-
The action sequences keep you on the edge of your seat, and the animation is nothing short of breathtaking.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
-
This breathtaking image from James Sinclair gives us a detailed view of a section of the sun's atmosphere known as the chromosphere — a chaotic region where hydrogen and helium plasma is molded and reshaped by our star's ever-shifting magnetic field.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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To navigate emotional volatility, understand what behaviors are acceptable to you and create clear boundaries with the ones that are not.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
-
The emotions of that victory two years ago were apparent at the time — Sirianni was bombastic exiting the field after the emotional win — but there is no concept of revenge this time.—
Zach Berman,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The space itself — bright, polished, and buzzing — sets the tone for a brunch that’s chic without being stiff.—
Rai Mincey,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Their move back to the Taiwanese capital, where the mother sets up a food stand in a buzzing night market, brings them into closer proximity with her family.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
For instance, tax code complexity considers 15 of the most important tax regulations (for example, rules governing taxes on capital gains, usage of net operating losses to offset income, mitigation of base erosion and profit shifting, among others).—
Nathan Goldman,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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Standing in the hulking concrete box—the open-air nucleus of the home—evokes being in a James Turrell Skyspace, your senses heightened to the shifting of the light or the passing of clouds.—
Siobhan Reid,
Robb Report,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
An Atlantic Ocean devoid of swirling tropical waves is a welcome but unusual sight for mid-September.—
Alex Harris,
Miami Herald,
11 Sep. 2025
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Studs, leopard print, and DIY ornamentation sit alongside soft pastels, swirling graphic patterns, and a Nouveau color palette inspired by the Parisian Metropolitain signs.—
Felicity Carter,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Both offenses are moving with little resistance thus far.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Sep. 2025
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Both injuries have significant implications for fantasy, as Jacory Croskey-Merritt is assured more touches in Washington moving forward; in Green Bay, Matthew Golden will have more chances to show his skills with Reed out in Week 3 and beyond.—
Jess Bryant,
New York Times,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
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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,
8 Sep. 2025
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Follow Scheffler for destination stories, travel trends and thought-provoking conversations from the world of travel.—
Daniel Scheffler,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Other exciting territory in The Grand Finale involved Mary’s changing relationship with the other Crawley women.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
11 Sep. 2025
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That’s more exciting to me than last year, when James swept the fiction categories, with even the Pulitzer board overriding their fiction judges to award the big prize to Percival Everett’s novel.—
Maris Kreizman,
Literary Hub,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stirring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stirring. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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