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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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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Located in northern Spain, along the Bay of Biscay and between the popular cities of Bilbao and San Sebastián, the Urola Coast of Basque Country is a breathtaking stretch of shoreline.—
Michelle Arellano Martin,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Nov. 2025
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In dozens of interviews in villages on Venezuela's breathtaking northeastern coast, from which some of the boats departed, residents and relatives said the dead men had indeed been running drugs but were not narco-terrorists or leaders of a cartel or gang.—
NPR,
NPR,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Shouts for it will be met by angry fingers jutted towards the various gaffes played ad nauseam on Sky Sports’ weekly Ref Watch, or the mandatory pause before the emotional unleashing as VAR mulls over whether a goal is a goal or just a hoax.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
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But del Toro expands the emotional spectrum with forgiveness.—
Gerrad Hall,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Four years, later, Guillory opened a second store in New Orleans’ Central Business District, a streetcar ride away from fashionable Magazine Street and the buzzing French Quarter.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
11 Nov. 2025
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With historical sights like the Hagia Sophia and Topkapı Palace brushing up against buzzing bars and lively cafes, Ottoman-era mosques a short walk from contemporary art museums, and traditional carpet shops around the corner from trendy boutiques, Istanbul is a place where old and new coexist.—
Katie Nadworny,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The spotlight’s shifting, Pisces.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
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The way Shaw-naé tells it, heading into the pandemic became a shifting point for her.—
Mackenzie Cummings-Grady,
Billboard,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The move enraged both civilians and public officials throughout the country, with questions swirling about Stokes’ qualifications.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
8 Nov. 2025
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With Mendoza’s stock climbing and the Jets still searching for answers at quarterback, speculation is already swirling about what this move could mean.—
Rowan Fisher-Shotton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York voted against moving ahead with the package, along with all but eight of his Democratic colleagues.—
Orianna Rosa Royle,
Fortune,
10 Nov. 2025
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Director Michael Arden, meanwhile, is up to his elbows just moving the cumbersome Legos of Dane Laffrey’s set around.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
10 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 15 Nov. 2025.
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