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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in emotional
having the power to affect the feelings or sympathies
a stirring rendition of the national anthem
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in buzzing
marked by much life, movement, or activity
spring has arrived, and the meadow is stirring with life
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
as in moving
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 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
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 stirring
Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 19 July 2025
Despite that dismal match — Iga Swiatek crushed Amanda Anisimova 6-0, 6-0 — Kate brought the family back for Sunday’s men’s final between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, who most recently played a stirring final at the French Open in June.
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 13 July 2025
Noah Kaufman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 June 2025
Inspired by the shifting seasons in Japan, this bright, botanical-forward cocktail is elegance in liquid form—no shaker or stirring required.
—Lanee Lee, Forbes.com, 1 May 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
Almost 50 years later, Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham still can't quit stirring rumors.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 19 July 2025
Despite that dismal match — Iga Swiatek crushed Amanda Anisimova 6-0, 6-0 — Kate brought the family back for Sunday’s men’s final between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, who most recently played a stirring final at the French Open in June.
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 13 July 2025
Noun
Medium-low heat, gentle stirring, stop before the eggs are fully set.
—Noah Kaufman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 June 2025
Inspired by the shifting seasons in Japan, this bright, botanical-forward cocktail is elegance in liquid form—no shaker or stirring required.
—Lanee Lee, Forbes.com, 1 May 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
-
The expansive entrance hall, like the lobby of a tropical resort, provides a breathtaking view of the sea beyond towering glass walls ahead.—
Demetrius Simms,
Robb Report,
25 July 2025
-
Inspired by Malaysia’s rich cultural traditions, the hotel’s interiors from G.A Group (which has done the design for Atlantis The Royal and JW Marriott Hotel Nara) are minimalist and elegant, allowing the breathtaking views from the massive windows to take center stage.—
Spencer Whaley,
Forbes.com,
25 July 2025
Adjective
-
The vote dashed the hopes of those with the 156-year-old Art Academy, who gave emotional pleas in recent weeks to city leaders for help.—
Scott Wartman,
The Enquirer,
30 July 2025
-
They are then adopted out to be a pet or are placed in police, fire and EMS stations to provide emotional support.—
Nicole Villalpando,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
Verb
-
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
-
The Daytime Emmys, which traditionally air in June (except when COVID and then the Hollywood strikes forced some rescheduling), will be shifting to October this year.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
8 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
Enter Kampar, just south of Philadelphia’s South Street in the Queen Village neighborhood, featuring a ground-floor tasting menu-only dinner service; above it, Kongsi, its casual counterpart, pairing Malaysian street food flavors with exciting cocktails.—
Alisha Miranda,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
30 July 2025
-
But the league just doesn’t have that many teams that are truly out of the race anymore, and those that are out of it don’t tend to have many exciting trade chips.—
Alex Kirshner,
New York Times,
30 July 2025
Adjective
-
This image represents one of the first times that astronomers have obtained images of thousands of star-forming regions at this impressive level of detail.—
Rebecca McClain,
Space.com,
31 July 2025
-
Cloves, which are commonly used in cooking and baking, pack an impressive amount of inflammation-fighting compounds.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
31 July 2025
Adjective
-
Horton said summer is always the busiest, with the program planning several events each month to combat the rise in homicides and violent crimes as the weather warms.—
Keely Doll,
The Courier-Journal,
23 July 2025
-
Ever since then, it’s been sitting on the shore, beached like a shipwreck, just feet from a busy highway.—
John Carlisle,
Freep.com,
23 July 2025
Noun
-
The movement forced Viktor Yanukovych, a notoriously corrupt former president aligned with the Kremlin, to flee the country in 2014.—
Joanna Kakissis,
NPR,
23 July 2025
-
Many modern employee benefits, including the 40-hour workweek, paid time off, sick leave and workplace safety, were made possible through the labor movement.—
Alexis Simmerman,
Austin American Statesman,
23 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stirring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stirring. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share