stir (up)

verb

Definition of stir (up)next
as in to provoke
to bring something (volatile or intense) into being couldn't stir up any interest in a Saturday morning outing to the art museum

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stir (up)
  1. provoke
  2. raise
Verb
  • The same principle applies to debates about religion, economics and virtually any subject capable of provoking strong emotions.
    — Rabbi Bruce D. Forman, Sun Sentinel, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Fortunately, the fake tip didn’t provoke any further actions from the PPD, and was reportedly flagged as spam after being picked up by its safeguards.
    — Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of provoke
Verb
  • Japan has also raised concern over China's gradual escalation of its military activity around remote Japanese islands in the Pacific Ocean.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Still, Converse’s sales hemorrhage raises fair questions about whether this is more than a cyclical decline.
    — Phil Wahba, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of raise
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.

Browse Nearby Words

stirs (up)
stir (up)
stitch
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Stir (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stir%20%28up%29. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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