1
2
as in to shift
to change one's position
the cat stirred, then opened its eyes and slowly got to its feet
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to provoke
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in commotion
a state of noisy, confused activity
the plane's first jolt caused a stir among the passengers, and by the third one they were in a panic
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in shifting
the act or an instance of changing position
we were warned that the slightest stir would scare the mother bird so we hardly dared to breathe
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in jail
a place of confinement for persons held in lawful custody
the mule had just got out of stir and was being followed by the feds, who had their sights set on the kingpin of the operation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of stir
Daegan Miller
june 5, Literary Hub, 5 June 2025
Speculation was stirred that the women had had a falling out after Remini did not attend Lopez’s wedding to Affleck in 2022.
—Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 5 June 2025
Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 17 May 2025
The allegations created quite a stir—and resulted in litigation.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for stir
Verb
That piece, and the book that would follow, has become a staple of environmental humanities classes for decades and still stirs vigorous classroom debate today.
—Daegan Miller
june 5, Literary Hub, 5 June 2025
Speculation was stirred that the women had had a falling out after Remini did not attend Lopez’s wedding to Affleck in 2022.
—Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 5 June 2025
Noun
His comments caused such a stir that team owner John Henry flew to meet with Devers in Kansas City, where the team was playing last week.
—Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 17 May 2025
The allegations created quite a stir—and resulted in litigation.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for stir
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stir
Verb
-
Scientific objectives include gaining an understanding of the Reiner Gamma swirl mini-magnetosphere region and its magnetic and plasma properties. TBD, 2025: Blue Origin New Glenn carrying Blue Moon Mark 1 (MK1), a single-launch, lunar cargo lander that remains on the surface.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
7 June 2025
-
Their most popular is Dirty Barn Shoes – chocolate ice cream with fudge swirl and crushed chocolate cookies.—
Pamela McLoughlin,
Hartford Courant,
7 June 2025
Verb
-
Especially as the messaging around nonalcoholic beer has shifted to broaden its appeal, according to Dave Williams, vice president of analytics and insight for Bump Williams Consulting, a Connecticut firm that specializes in the alcoholic beverage industry.—
Bailey Schulz,
USA Today,
8 June 2025
-
Now, markets shift and shrink far too rapidly to rely on the old approach.—
Cynthia Pong,
Forbes.com,
8 June 2025
Verb
-
Couple that with an alarming increase in misogyny in both politics and the culture at large, and women in the public eye are at constant risk of accidentally provoking these types of hate campaigns.—
Stephanie McNeal,
Glamour,
13 June 2025
-
The 1925 offside rule, therefore, initially created incredibly attack-minded football, and then provoked considerably more cautious football.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
12 June 2025
Verb
-
Consumers should also wash and disinfect any surfaces that came in contact with the eggs.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
7 June 2025
-
The hilltop compound is perhaps most famous for its car museum, a nearly 24,000-square-foot showstopper built to house Lyon’s epic personal collection, with room for 70 vehicles (none included with the sale, unfortunately), as well as an auto shop and wash and gas stations.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
6 June 2025
Verb
-
As the storm moves away, this likelihood decreases.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
14 June 2025
-
In May, the board of supervisors unanimously backed recommendations from county staff to move the excess money around, with a considerable amount going to the Sheriff’s Office.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 June 2025
Verb
-
Overall, the diet encourages people to eat whole foods that are low in salicylates.—
Patty Weasler,
Verywell Health,
6 June 2025
-
Just two days later, Mercury enters Cancer, adding a layer of receptivity and emotional depth to conversations and exchanges, encouraging more empathy and understanding in your relationships.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
6 June 2025
Verb
-
While grill is preheating, whisk together mayonnaise, sugar, orange juice, vinegar, salt, onion powder, and black pepper in a large bowl.—
Josh Miller,
Southern Living,
5 June 2025
-
Meanwhile in a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, half-and-half, Parmesan, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. 4.—
Cathy Thomas,
Mercury News,
3 June 2025
Verb
-
The electrode stimulates the nerve, opening the airway by moving the tongue forward.1 Hypoglossal nerve stimulation surgery can effectively resolve snoring for some.—
Sukaina Hasnie,
Verywell Health,
4 June 2025
-
Just like weight-bearing exercises, the vibrations stimulate osteocytes, which send signals to the two other types of bone cells–osteoblasts and osteoclasts–to create new bone matter and recycle the old.—
Jia H. Jung,
Mercury News,
4 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stir.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stir. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share