as in provoking
to bring something (volatile or intense) into being
couldn't stir up any interest in a Saturday morning outing to the art museum
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stirring (up)
Verb
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For the Mexican government, the battle against the cartels risks provoking violence across the country, as gang members retaliate against the security forces and battle each other.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
23 Feb. 2026 -
The events, hosted at The Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach, bring the community together for thought-provoking talks delivered by experts.—
News Release,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
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While more than one-third of that backlog is now being released, a handful of states — including California, Illinois, Minnesota and Colorado — are being left out, raising new concerns that the administration is playing politics with critical emergency assistance, the sources said.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
27 Feb. 2026
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Melissa Claire Egan is opening up about some sobering health news in hopes of raising awareness.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The perennial candidate had raised hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years from prominent right-wing figures while promoting QAnon conspiracy theories but never cracked 25% of the vote.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Feb. 2026
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Policymakers have turned to promoting the consumption of services to boost overall spending, betting that elderly care services, leisure and tourism can help make up for the tepid demand in goods.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
24 Feb. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Stirring (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stirring%20%28up%29. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
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