stirring 1 of 3

adjective

ˈstər-iŋ How to pronounce stirring (audio)
Definition of stirringnext
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

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2
as in emotional
having the power to affect the feelings or sympathies a stirring rendition of the national anthem

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3
as in buzzing
marked by much life, movement, or activity spring has arrived, and the meadow is stirring with life

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stirring

2 of 3

noun

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

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stirring

3 of 3

verb

present participle of stir
1
as in swirling
to cause (as a liquid) to move about in a circle especially repeatedly the recipe says to stir the mixture carefully until it's properly blended

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2
as in moving
to change one's position the cat stirred, then opened its eyes and slowly got to its feet

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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

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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
Adjective
While Mexico has never won a World Cup, Mexico City’s iconic Estadio Azteca has been the site of some of Argentina’s greatest soccer triumphs, notably its championship in the stirring 1986 World Cup. — Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026 Although Women in Love’s not-so-subtle homoeroticism caused it to be banned in Turkey, it’s now widely considered Russell’s most stirring work. — Liam Hess, Vogue, 28 June 2026
Noun
Add the chili sauce and continue to cook, stirring, until shrimp are cooked through, 1-2 minutes. — Kate Williams, AJC.com, 17 Aug. 2026 Cook over medium-high without stirring, swirling pan occasionally, until mixture is golden amber, 4 to 5 minutes. — Emily Paster, Midwest Living, 16 Aug. 2026
Verb
Morton kosher salt, stirring often, until vegetables are softened and just beginning to brown, 3–4 minutes. — Claire Wadsworth, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026 As the legislative session comes to a close over the next few days, Newsom is in the kitchen, stirring a foul chowder that stinks along the state’s entire 1,200-mile coast. — Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stirring
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stirring
  1. breathtaking
  2. emotional
  3. buzzing
  4. shifting
  5. swirling
  6. moving
  7. provoking
  8. exciting
Adjective
  • Nvidia's giveback Friday was certainly not because the company didn't report an amazing, if not breathtaking, quarter.
    — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The experience goes far beyond the golf course; Palmares is known across the world for having one of the most breathtaking clubhouse environments in all of golf.
    — Jeff Goudy, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of breathtaking
Adjective
  • More importantly, part two closes an emotional circle that the first one had just begun to delineate.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Spivey held an emotional service later that night in honor of the students killed.
    — Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of emotional
Adjective
  • Tucked away in a private backyard in Ashford, one of the state’s few apitherapy huts allows people to breathe in air from thousands of buzzing bees.
    — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Over the decades, the equipment evolved into today’s version of the sport, featuring a beeping softball and four-foot-tall buzzing foam bases that guide players through sound.
    — Aurora Beacon-News, Chicago Tribune, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of buzzing
Noun
  • In part, this shifting of possession is forced by Brighton, whose out-of-possession approach is much more aggressive.
    — Jon Mackenzie, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The Ultra also pairs an eight-speed Shimano drivetrain with EDS electronic shifting.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of shifting
Verb
  • Now, a new enigmatic 10-sided feature known as the decagon has been spotted swirling on the complete opposite side of the ringed planet.
    — Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Early Tuesday morning, Anaheim mayor Ashleigh Aitken started getting a slew of calls and texts — rumors were swirling about a potential landmark day in her hometown.
    — Sam Blum, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of swirling
Verb
  • Instead of simply moving the body without the patient’s involvement, HAL responds to the person’s own intention to move.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Others are already moving confidently through modern cities, studying, working and shaping lives increasingly separate from traditional expectations.
    — PhotoVogue, Vogue, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of moving
Verb
  • This year's Ig Nobel Prizes — which are awarded for humorous, yet thought-provoking research — have been announced, but not on their home turf.
    — Ari Daniel, NPR, 3 Sep. 2026
  • But not all of Mustard Service’s songs are meant to be so thought-provoking.
    — Charles Moss, SPIN, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of provoking
Adjective
  • That performance and a handful of others leads the way as the UFC wrapped up an exciting event from Shanghai.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • While a lot of the shorts are fully animated, the parts where this cartoon interacts with the real world were the most exciting then and are still a delight now.
    — James Grebey, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of exciting

Browse Nearby Words

stirred (up)
stirring
stirrings
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Cite this Entry

“Stirring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stirring. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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