1
2
as in shifts
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 provokes
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 commotions
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 moves
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 jails
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
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Recent Examples of stirs
Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 2 Apr. 2026
In a cave that sheltered freedom seekers along the Underground Railroad, their uncle shares a story of a creature that stirs at night.
—William Earl, Variety, 25 Mar. 2026
Where the pre-retroshade plants seeds and the retrograde stirs them up, the post-retroshade is where clarity arrives and choices get made.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 20 Mar. 2026
Creative courage returns as the instinctive Moon conjoins mischievous Mercury in your 5th House of Play, urging you to express whatever stirs within.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 17 Mar. 2026
If a family conversation stirs old worries, that’s normal.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 14 Mar. 2026
In a cave that sheltered freedom seekers along the Underground Railroad, their uncle shares a story of a creature that stirs at night.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 11 Mar. 2026
Last year’s first-round pick and NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year is the straw that stirs the drink for the entire offense.
—Mike Kaye
updated March 11, Charlotte Observer, 11 Mar. 2026
So news of yet another live-action Tinker Bell project probably stirs something between hope and wariness.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 11 Mar. 2026
Verb
The intuitive Moon stirs your 7th House of Companionship, squaring fortuitous Jupiter in your 4th House of Care, so promises and comfort could pull in opposite directions.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 2 Apr. 2026
In a cave that sheltered freedom seekers along the Underground Railroad, their uncle shares a story of a creature that stirs at night.
—William Earl, Variety, 25 Mar. 2026
Where the pre-retroshade plants seeds and the retrograde stirs them up, the post-retroshade is where clarity arrives and choices get made.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 20 Mar. 2026
Creative courage returns as the instinctive Moon conjoins mischievous Mercury in your 5th House of Play, urging you to express whatever stirs within.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 17 Mar. 2026
If a family conversation stirs old worries, that’s normal.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 14 Mar. 2026
In a cave that sheltered freedom seekers along the Underground Railroad, their uncle shares a story of a creature that stirs at night.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 11 Mar. 2026
Last year’s first-round pick and NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year is the straw that stirs the drink for the entire offense.
—Mike Kaye
updated March 11, Charlotte Observer, 11 Mar. 2026
So news of yet another live-action Tinker Bell project probably stirs something between hope and wariness.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 11 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stirs
Verb
-
To load the product onto the brush, Barnes swirls the tool into the pan twice and taps it twice to prevent fallout.—
Jenny Berg,
Vogue,
12 Dec. 2025
-
The lights are dim and jazzy music swirls the intimate crowd.—
Sofia Celeste,
Footwear News,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The trip feels oddly smooth, as the robotaxi cleanly shifts lanes and slows down to avoid hitting other vehicles and bicycles on the road.—
Nicholas Gordon,
Fortune,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Gruev goes inside to Ampadu, who quickly shifts it to James Justin as Habib Diarra harries him.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
As McCreary pulls the drapes away from a client's neck one by one, the client can see how each color highlights their skin, hair and eyes, or washes them out.—
Bailey Reed,
Louisville Courier Journal,
1 Apr. 2026
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Rain washes hazardous chemicals out of the atmosphere in a relatively short period of time, experts said, but people exposed to black rain should take precautions to avoid health risks, both short-term and long-term.—
Tammy Webber,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Israel moves fast, launching a bold military operation against a weaker Middle Eastern neighbor.—
Ishaan Tharoor,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
After that, the Moon moves from LEO into VIRGO.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
His inept Cabinet ignores, and actually encourages, his very weird and embarrassing meandering.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Sarah Olim, a general dentist in Katy, Texas, encourages her patients to come in for visits every six months.—
Tribune News Service,
The Orlando Sentinel,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Hayden, working the grill behind her husband, laughs and shakes her head with a slight eye roll the way only a loving wife can.—
Matthew Odam,
Austin American Statesman,
2 Apr. 2026
-
In the process, the capsule shakes pretty aggressively.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Belber said the event traditionally stimulates the local economy, bringing visitors into hotels, bars, restaurants and retail shops, not to mention the prestige of highlighting the city of Albany in a tournament that draws international broadcast viewers.—
Justin Birnbaum,
Sportico.com,
29 Mar. 2026
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Cumin stimulates the production of digestive enzymes, which can relieve bloating and diarrhea.—
Sheah Rarback,
Miami Herald,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stirs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stirs. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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