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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in emotional
having the power to affect the feelings or sympathies
a stirring rendition of the national anthem
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in buzzing
marked by much life, movement, or activity
spring has arrived, and the meadow is stirring with life
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
as in moving
to change one's position
the cat stirred, then opened its eyes and slowly got to its feet
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of stirring
Brian Truitt, USA Today, 9 Mar. 2026
That same crowd was also treated to a stirring speech by Harrison Ford, who received the guild’s highest honor, the SAG-AFTRA Life Achievement Award after being introduced by friend Woody Harrelson.
—Patrick Hipes, Deadline, 1 Mar. 2026
Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 22 Mar. 2026
On the right day, with enough time and space, the act of chopping, seasoning, and stirring can feel steady and absorbing.
—Michelle Beadle Holder, SELF, 16 Mar. 2026
Kelly McCarthy, ABC News, 3 Apr. 2026
Cook 3 medium onions, chopped, 3 medium carrots, peeled, chopped, and 2 celery stalks, chopped, in same pot over medium-high heat, stirring often, until onions are browned, about 5 minutes.
—Jenny Rosenstrach, Bon Appetit Magazine, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stirring
Adjective
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
That same crowd was also treated to a stirring speech by Harrison Ford, who received the guild’s highest honor, the SAG-AFTRA Life Achievement Award after being introduced by friend Woody Harrelson.
—Patrick Hipes, Deadline, 1 Mar. 2026
Noun
But in solving those challenges, Weir — unintentionally or not — builds out the desires and needs of stirring, compelling characters.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 22 Mar. 2026
On the right day, with enough time and space, the act of chopping, seasoning, and stirring can feel steady and absorbing.
—Michelle Beadle Holder, SELF, 16 Mar. 2026
Verb
Cook over low heat, stirring frequently, until creamy and slightly thickened, about 10 to 15 minutes.
—Kelly McCarthy, ABC News, 3 Apr. 2026
Cook 3 medium onions, chopped, 3 medium carrots, peeled, chopped, and 2 celery stalks, chopped, in same pot over medium-high heat, stirring often, until onions are browned, about 5 minutes.
—Jenny Rosenstrach, Bon Appetit Magazine, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stirring
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stirring
Adjective
-
There is, however, a fitness center equipped with cardio machines, free weights, and resistance training, as well as an outdoor yoga platform with breathtaking vantage points and complimentary classes offered Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays during sunrise.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Apr. 2026
-
The story of the shoot, at the real-life club, in midtown Manhattan, is a breathtaking adventure.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Is there an emotional component for you at this moment?—
Peter Van Sant,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2026
-
From the opening scene of the family’s move to town, the soft and wistful light shapes the film’s emotional world.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
12 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
Even the most cursory tour of local highlights will take you from the 2,000-year-old remains of Emperor Tiberius's cliff-top Villa Jovis to the still-buzzing purveyor of Jackie Kennedy's iconic sandals—Canfora, which anchors the Via Camerelle luxury shopping corridor.—
Elizabeth Heath,
Travel + Leisure,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
At our newest campus in Haverhill, Massachusetts, for example students will train in a 25,000-square-foot facility equipped with interactive shifting simulation and a new curriculum that focuses on hands-on learning from day one.—
Samantha Greenberg,
Hartford Courant,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Indifferent to the swirling pressures around him.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
-
He has not been charged in connection with the shooting, and his lawyer released a statement about rumors swirling about his involvement.—
Larry Seward,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The trend of schools moving away from technology comes as evidence emerges that access to screens does not improve student outcomes and could instead be holding them back.—
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez,
Fortune,
10 Apr. 2026
-
In heavy rain, refrain from parking or walking near culverts or drainage ditches, where swift-moving water can pose a grave danger.—
Southern California Weather Report,
Daily News,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Christopher Nolan has cemented his status as one of our most consistently original and thought-provoking directors.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
6 Apr. 2026
-
In essence, Bright Lights, Big City, instead of being emotionally provoking and riveting, is distressingly gray and tedious, enlivened only by Fox’s gifted histrionics.—
Duane Byrge,
HollywoodReporter,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Everyday outings, like going to the grocery store, are exciting adventures for him.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
-
In an interview with STAT, Nedergaard, who is also affiliated with the University of Copenhagen, explained some of the exciting implications of her research, including its possible application for better tools to screen for — and combat — neurological conditions like Alzheimer’s.—
Amanda Erickson,
STAT,
7 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stirring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stirring. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
