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
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2
as in emotional
having the power to affect the feelings or sympathies
a stirring rendition of the national anthem
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3
as in buzzing
marked by much life, movement, or activity
spring has arrived, and the meadow is stirring with life
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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
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1
2
as in moving
to change one's position
the cat stirred, then opened its eyes and slowly got to its feet
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stirring
Elias Burke, New York Times, 19 May 2025
Day’s game-winning hit capped a stirring comeback for the Razorbacks, who trailed 5-1 going into the bottom of the sixth inning.
—Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 17 May 2025
Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 27 Feb. 2025
This evidence for the presence of liquid water on the ancient body from which Bennu formed provides a tantalizing possibility: the possibility that Bennu’s progenitor may have seen the first stirrings of life.
—Tom Hawking, Popular Science, 29 Jan. 2025
Elizabeth Nelson, Southern Living, 5 Jan. 2025
Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally until almost soft, about 5 minutes.
—Ivy Odom, Southern Living, 4 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stirring
Adjective
And as a motivator, Postecoglou’s ability to unite his playing group despite outside pressure with stirring pre-match speeches and activities were key to their success just seven months after that World Cup disappointment.
—Elias Burke, New York Times, 19 May 2025
Day’s game-winning hit capped a stirring comeback for the Razorbacks, who trailed 5-1 going into the bottom of the sixth inning.
—Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 17 May 2025
Noun
Johanna’s worldly bearing and otherworldly beauty; the unbearable stirrings of jealousy aroused when her teacher bonds with other students; the deeper bond that forms when Johanne impulsively pays a visit to Johanna’s apartment.
—Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 27 Feb. 2025
This evidence for the presence of liquid water on the ancient body from which Bennu formed provides a tantalizing possibility: the possibility that Bennu’s progenitor may have seen the first stirrings of life.
—Tom Hawking, Popular Science, 29 Jan. 2025
Verb
Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally, then remove from heat.
—Elizabeth Nelson, Southern Living, 5 Jan. 2025
Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally until almost soft, about 5 minutes.
—Ivy Odom, Southern Living, 4 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stirring
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stirring
Adjective
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At the center is Cerro San Cristóbal, with breathtaking views of wildflowers, pine forests and the Andes Mountains.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
27 May 2025
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Michelangelo Imperfect–a breathtaking new Michelangelo Buonarroti exhibition at the Statens Museum for Kunst (SMK) National Gallery of Denmark–is the most comprehensive display of the Renaissance artist’s sculptural work in 150 years.—
Lee Sharrock,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2025
Adjective
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The award-winning filmmaker captures the emotional and cultural landscapes of 12 African nations, offering an immersive journey into the museum’s new African Art galleries.—
Keyaira Boone,
Essence,
30 May 2025
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What To Know Dixon, who has lived in the U.S. for 50 years after arriving from the Philippines at age 14, was emotional following her release.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 May 2025
Verb
-
Home care workers who provide assistance to elderly and disabled Californians could see more wage equality, according to a recent labor report, by shifting contract negotiations to the state level instead of bargaining individually with California’s 56 individual counties.—
William Melhado,
Sacramento Bee,
8 Jan. 2025
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The combination of low humidity, dry fuels, and shifting winds has heightened the potential for spot fires and rapid expansion.—
Russell Lewis,
NPR,
8 Jan. 2025
Verb
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This will deepen the divide between the global North and South on issues of race and cultural difference, straining the West’s diplomatic relations with countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America while provoking broader resentment toward Western countries seen as perpetuating racial hierarchies.—
Matias Spektor,
Foreign Affairs,
7 Jan. 2025
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In 2008, the United States suggested that Georgia and Ukraine might eventually join the alliance but offered no concrete path to membership, thus provoking Russia without effectively deterring it.—
Michael Beckley,
Foreign Affairs,
7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The latter star has landed a number of hits throughout the past few years by repurposing melodies and interpolating hooks from older, familiar smashes by other artists, reworking them into something exciting and new for a different audience.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
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McVay has his top tight end group in a while, an exciting prospect for the coach’s football chess options.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 May 2025
Adjective
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The Royal Monastery of Santa María de Guadalupe is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with impressive architecture and a foundation dating back to the 13th century.—
Carlsen Jes,
Travel + Leisure,
1 June 2025
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There was nearly a fourth as well, though rookie Kristian Campbell was able to make an impressive backhanded grab in shallow right with his back to the infield in the bottom of the fourth.—
Mac Cerullo,
Hartford Courant,
1 June 2025
Adjective
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Webster said the thought was to fill storefronts closest to the busiest World Cup activities, likely in and around downtown, or within a mile of the streetcar line.—
Eric Adler,
Kansas City Star,
4 June 2025
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In a busy warehouse, for instance, human workers and multiple robots performing different tasks—often from different vendors—need a unified system that ensures smooth collaboration, avoiding collisions and idle time.—
Florian Pestoni,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2025
Noun
-
These free classes focus on mindful movement, mindful breathing, in the style of Shashi Yoga.—
Ramona Sentinel,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 June 2025
-
Symptoms such as chest pain or pressure that worsen by movement are also usually present.7 A pneumothorax occurs when gas accumulates within the space surrounding a lung.—
Laura Campedelli,
Verywell Health,
5 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stirring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stirring. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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