stirring (up)

verb

Definition of stirring (up)next
present participle of stir (up)
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)
  1. provoking
  2. raising
  3. promoting
Verb
  • The same principle applies to debates about religion, economics and virtually any subject capable of provoking strong emotions.
    — Rabbi Bruce D. Forman, Sun Sentinel, 13 Oct. 2026
  • From this format emerges the tacit thesis that the Bicentennial cultural activities excelled at provoking critical, imaginative reflections on America’s past and future from artmakers and from ordinary citizens alike.
    — Anna Kornbluh, ARTnews.com, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of provoking
Verb
  • Those officers were not wearing body cameras, raising questions about why the agency still hadn't gotten the cameras out to officers in the field.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Similar federal lists in other states have proved highly inaccurate, raising concerns that eligible voters could be disenfranchised.
    — Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of raising
Verb
  • This annual tradition provides live performances and holiday cheer while promoting donations to community food pantries.
    — Paula Wethington, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Swank announced her first pregnancy on Good Morning America in October 2022, while promoting her ABC crime series, Alaska Daily.
    — Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of promoting
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.

Browse Nearby Words

stirrings
stirring (up)
stirs
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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 16 Oct. 2026.

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