as in provokes
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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Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stirs (up)
Verb
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But the question of what is true or not is futile, even if Calle deliberately provokes this curiosity.—
Elisa Wouk Almino
Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Apr. 2026 -
The flurry of imagery provokes a surreal sort of whiplash.—
Kyle Chayka,
New Yorker,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But for some immigrant families, the new requirement raises concerns.—
Ivan Taylor,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
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Brandon builds a fire, loads the smoker with hot charcoal, puts the pig in, and then pulls the tenderloin only a few hours into the cooking process; Sieger puts the pig in first, then gently raises the temperature, and does not pull the tenderloin separately.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
14 Apr. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Stirs (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stirs%20%28up%29. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
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