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
Zack Pierce, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
The researchers were interested in four music types classed as joyful, soft, stirring (passionate) and sad.
—New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2025
The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Jan. 2026
There are already stirrings suggesting that Democrats will try again.
—Niall Stanage, The Hill, 9 Jan. 2026
Chris Morocco, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and cook uncovered without stirring.
—Kelly Brant, arkansasonline.com, 7 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stirring
Adjective
Tanzania’s Alphonce Felix Simbu won the men’s marathon Monday at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, using a stirring final kick to chase down and stun Germany’s Amanal Petros in a photo finish.
—Zack Pierce, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
The researchers were interested in four music types classed as joyful, soft, stirring (passionate) and sad.
—New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2025
Noun
Add the garlic and thyme, and cook, stirring, until aromatic, about 30 seconds.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Jan. 2026
There are already stirrings suggesting that Democrats will try again.
—Niall Stanage, The Hill, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
Bring to a gentle simmer; cook, stirring occasionally and reducing heat if needed, until flavors meld, 10–15 minutes.
—Chris Morocco, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and cook uncovered without stirring.
—Kelly Brant, arkansasonline.com, 7 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stirring
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stirring
Adjective
-
Set the scene After taking a breathtaking ride through sweeping mountaintops on the Gornergrat Railway, Europe's highest open-air cogwheel railway, guests arrive in Andermatt—a fairly sleepy Swiss town.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 Jan. 2026
-
That breathtaking pace makes the recent deadly crash between two high-speed trains in Spain even more alarming.—
Ben Jones,
CNN Money,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Specifically, kids this age are developing key emotional regulation skills, such as tolerating disappointment, embarrassment, as well as frustration and anger.—
Liz Regalia,
Parents,
31 Jan. 2026
-
In an emotional interview, the original fan favorite also comes to terms with his previous disappointing outings.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Nguyen’s main renovations brought the bar from the back of the room to the front, an open window into the buzzing new restaurant.—
Miguel Otárola,
Denver Post,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Once a pivotal railway stop, later the site of world-stage events, like the 1996 Olympic Games, and most recently, a filming epicenter, Conyers has blossomed into a buzzing destination, drawing visitors from across the globe.—
Nicole Letts,
Southern Living,
3 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Whether the global minimum tax will meaningfully reduce profit shifting remains an open question.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
-
The pain suffered by the son hovers like a dark spot, giant yet shape-shifting—and never quite revealing itself.—
Dan Sheehan,
Literary Hub,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Cook, swirling skillet occasionally and reducing heat if browning too quickly or if oil is smoking, until deep golden brown underneath, about 5 minutes.—
Chris Morocco,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
-
As the Chiefs’ offseason got off to an earlier-than-normal start, Patrick Mahomes’ season-ending ACL injury and the uncertainty swirling around Travis Kelce’s future are being closely watched in Kansas City.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Some folks who were moving a little slow, some folks wanted to dilute the Canadiana or the Big C Canadian of it.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Karlee Smith jumped on a quad bike to help herd sheep away from the fast-moving flames on a farm in the town of Gellibrand, a small rural town, about 200 kilometers (125 miles) southwest of Melbourne.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Officials’ insistence that citizens who record agents are provoking violent retribution is a justification for what is becoming a very literal war on truth.—
Jonathan Chait,
The Atlantic,
25 Jan. 2026
-
In the main event of SmackDown, Trick Williams defeated Damian Priest by DQ after provoking Sami Zayn.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Still, one respondent saw that as an exciting opportunity.—
The Athletic NFL Staff,
New York Times,
28 Jan. 2026
-
On paper, Paramount+’s debut UFC broadcast Saturday night was meant to usher in an exciting new era for combat sports.—
Chris Lee,
Vulture,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stirring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stirring. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
