Synonyms of stirring

stirring 1 of 3

adjective

ˈstər-iŋ 

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

• breathtaking
• exciting
• interesting
• thrilling
• intriguing
• inspiring
• gripping
• electric
• electrifying
• rousing
• galvanizing
• exhilarating
• intoxicating
• provocative
• galvanic
• fascinating
• stimulating
• lively
• heart-stopping
• absorbing
• rip-roaring
• mind-blowing
• mind-bending
• kicky
• riveting
• mind-boggling
• moving
• charged
• tantalizing
• hair-raising
• exhilarative
• engrossing
• touching
• enchanting
• arresting
• enthralling
• titillating
• spellbinding
• poignant
• dynamic
• energetic
• high-voltage
• kinetic
• lusty

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• tedious
• boring
• tiresome
• unexciting
• dull
• monotonous
• uninteresting
• mind-numbing
• dreary
• humdrum

2

as in emotional

having the power to affect the feelings or sympathies

a stirring rendition of the national anthem

Synonyms & Similar Words

• emotional
• impressive
• moving
• passionate
• touching
• exciting
• excitable
• poignant
• inspirational
• affecting
• dramatic
• eloquent
• impactful
• meaningful
• feeling
• expressive
• provoking
• theatrical
• significant
• responsive
• stimulating
• rousing
• demonstrative
• sensitive
• melodramatic
• cathartic
• histrionic

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• cool
• cold
• unemotional
• unimpressive
• detached
• dispassionate
• unaffecting
• emotionless
• deadpan

3

as in buzzing

marked by much life, movement, or activity

spring has arrived, and the meadow is stirring with life

Synonyms & Similar Words

• buzzing
• busy
• humming
• vibrant
• thriving
• lively
• rousing
• crowded
• brisk
• populous
• kinetic
• abuzz
• bustling
• animated
• happening
• alive
• flourishing
• astir
• aboil
• hopping
• abubble
• overflowing
• swarming
• teeming
• thronging
• abounding

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dead
• inactive
• sleepy
• lifeless
• asleep

stirring

2 of 3

noun

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

• shifting
• movement
• move
• shift
• motion
• stir
• relocation
• flapping
• twitching
• migration
• dislocation
• mobility
• squirm
• fiddling
• motility
• waving
• locomotion
• squirming
• fidgeting
• writhing
• wriggling
• motivity
• flailing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• immobility
• inertia
• stop
• pause
• motionlessness
• stillness
• finish
• termination
• halt
• cessation
• shutdown
• lapse
• stoppage
• ending
• expiration
• discontinuance
• inertness
• shutoff
• surcease

stirring

3 of 3

verb

present participle of stir

1

as in swirling

to cause (as a liquid) to move about in a circle especially repeatedly

the recipe says to stir the mixture carefully until it's properly blended

Synonyms & Similar Words

• swirling
• washing
• churning
• shaking
• whisking
• agitating
• whipping
• whirling
• beating
• reeling
• paddling
• wheeling

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

• shifting
• moving
• twitching
• squirming
• fidgeting
• locomoting
• tossing
• wiggling
• fiddling
• rousing
• jiggling
• writhing
• budging
• wriggling
• squiggling

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• freezing
• remaining
• staying
• hanging around
• stilling
• stabilizing
• tarrying
• sticking around

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

• provoking
• encouraging
• stimulating
• inspiring
• moving
• arousing
• sparking
• inciting
• exciting
• motivating
• instigating
• inducing
• driving
• triggering
• firing (up)
• revving (up)
• igniting
• impassioning
• galvanizing
• piquing
• fanning
• motiving
• activating
• building a fire under
• energizing
• kindling
• animating
• inflaming
• fomenting
• fermenting
• quickening
• angering
• vitalizing
• bothering
• enraging
• taunting
• raising
• setting off
• teasing
• upsetting
• maddening
• whipping (up)
• keying (up)
• pumping up
• jeering
• getting
• irritating
• abetting
• exasperating
• aggravating
• annoying
• vexing
• galling

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• soothing
• calming
• subduing
• tranquilizing
• placating
• appeasing
• pacifying
• mollifying

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of stirring

Adjective

While certain songs successfully couple lyrical and musical prowess to arrive at a stirring destination, not every track is quite as ambitious. — Sophie Miller, Rolling Stone, 19 July 2026

While Mexico has never won a World Cup, Mexico City’s iconic Estadio Azteca has been the site of some of Argentina’s greatest soccer triumphs, notably its championship in the stirring 1986 World Cup. — Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026

Noun

More likely she was hooked by the subliminal stirrings and emotional undertow of the music. — Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2026

At the center of the story is Géo, a five-year-old boy discovering friendship, rivalry and the first stirrings of romance. — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 9 Sep. 2026

Verb

Add the pork, oregano, cumin, black pepper, and crushed red pepper, and cook for about 6 minutes, stirring and breaking up the meat into small pieces with a spatula until no longer pink. — ABC News, 19 Sep. 2026

In a team meeting on the eve of their stirring 28-20 victory over the Cowboys, the Giants gave Jack Harbaugh their full attention and respect. — Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026