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
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 stirs
Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 14 Sep. 2025
Cardinal safety Budda Baker is still wreaking havoc and remains the proverbial straw that stirs the drink.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 11 Sep. 2025
Art reigns at the Prado (home to Velázquez and Goya) and the Reina Sofía—where Picasso’s Guernica stirs the soul—but Madrid’s heartbeat is felt in the fierce rhythm of flamenco and the roar of Real Madrid fans at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.
—Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
In Gemini, Uranus stirs the mind like a kaleidoscope of flashing insights and alternative solutions.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025
But when temptation stirs and hearts wander, the whole town gets caught up in a swirl of romance, mischief and melody.
—Leia Mendoza, Variety, 14 Aug. 2025
But when temptation stirs and hearts wander, the whole town gets caught up in a swirl of romance, mischief, and melody.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 14 Aug. 2025
Estuary life stirs behind the sprawling spartina grass, all burnished with an auburn glow.
—Jennifer Hope Choi, Bon Appétit, 13 Dec. 2024
CookingPal’s gadget suggests meals, fetches recipes, chops, stirs, and steams ingredients, and then cleans up after itself.
—IEEE Spectrum, 3 Jan. 2020
Verb
For decades, scientists have considered the moon a dead world—a silent, unchanging landscape where nothing stirs.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 14 Sep. 2025
Cardinal safety Budda Baker is still wreaking havoc and remains the proverbial straw that stirs the drink.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 11 Sep. 2025
Art reigns at the Prado (home to Velázquez and Goya) and the Reina Sofía—where Picasso’s Guernica stirs the soul—but Madrid’s heartbeat is felt in the fierce rhythm of flamenco and the roar of Real Madrid fans at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.
—Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
In Gemini, Uranus stirs the mind like a kaleidoscope of flashing insights and alternative solutions.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025
But when temptation stirs and hearts wander, the whole town gets caught up in a swirl of romance, mischief and melody.
—Leia Mendoza, Variety, 14 Aug. 2025
But when temptation stirs and hearts wander, the whole town gets caught up in a swirl of romance, mischief, and melody.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 14 Aug. 2025
Estuary life stirs behind the sprawling spartina grass, all burnished with an auburn glow.
—Jennifer Hope Choi, Bon Appétit, 13 Dec. 2024
CookingPal’s gadget suggests meals, fetches recipes, chops, stirs, and steams ingredients, and then cleans up after itself.
—IEEE Spectrum, 3 Jan. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stirs
Verb
-
That realization shifts everything.—
Jennifer Jay Palumbo,
Forbes.com,
20 Aug. 2025
-
As the event serves as a global stage for elite athletes, attention also shifts to the evolution of the sport.—
Connie Etemadi,
USA Today,
11 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Every action provokes a reaction.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
After a sleepy start to the second half at Old Trafford, the arrival of Benjamin Sesko, and the relocation of Cunha into a deeper position, provokes a fresh wave of interest.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Boiled down in a cauldron using traditional methods, the sulfate-free formula bubbles up into a lovely lather that washes hands without stripping them (the glycerin, as well as coconut, olive, and sweet almond oils, are to thank) and fills the room with its sophisticated, Provençal scents.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
-
After polishing, Stewart washes each piece with dish soap, rinses with lukewarm water, and dries immediately to prevent watermarks.—
Toni Sutton,
PEOPLE,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray has confirmed plans to pursue the death penalty, meaning Robinson will remain in custody without bail as the case moves toward trial.—
Amanda Castro
Hannah Parry
Joshua Rhett Miller,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Conventional engines burn fuel in a steady process, where the flame front (the area at which combustion occurs) moves smoothly through a propellant mixture to produce continuous thrust.—
Josh Dinner,
Space.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
This song encourages them to get messy, play, and have fun with this staple activity of the Halloween season.—
Elisabeth Sherman,
Parents,
19 Sep. 2025
-
The backdrop this year is a festive workshop and the set encourages building and creative play.—
Alexander Cox,
Space.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Noah Cameron shakes off rocky 1st inning Sunday didn’t start well for Royals rookie starter Noah Cameron.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
14 Sep. 2025
-
One team member gets to see an object in a box, then the other team members have to guess what that person saw, using only facial expressions (no nods or head shakes) as clues.—
Matthew Jackson,
Vulture,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Mechanistically, exercise improves vascular function, metabolic health, and stimulates the release of endogenous anti-inflammatory mediators.—
William A. Haseltine,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
-
The chemical targets a different system in the brain than standard antidepressants, triggering the release of glutamate, which stimulates the growth of new synapses between brain cells.—
Rachel Hale,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Beachgoers are being warned to stay off the sand and out of the water as Hurricane Erin churns toward New York, where it is expected to cause dangerous rip currents.—
Nicholas Williams,
New York Daily News,
18 Aug. 2025
-
The buck kicks his feet, churns mud, and slings debris skyward.—
Josh Honeycutt,
Outdoor Life,
9 Oct. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Stirs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stirs. Accessed 23 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share