STIRRING Synonyms: 238 Similar and Opposite Words

stirring 1 of 3

adjective

ˈstər-iŋ

Definition of stirring

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in emotional

having the power to affect the feelings or sympathies a stirring rendition of the national anthem

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in buzzing

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

stirring

3 of 3

verb

present participle of stir

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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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Penchansky has been a top player in the field since its earliest stirrings in 2010. — William Earl, Variety, 14 Aug. 2026 Snapshot is a stirring blend of gothic noir; horror documentary and found footage stretching reality in an innovative way. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 12 Aug. 2026

Verb

Simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, until macaroni is tender, 7 to 9 minutes. — Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Aug. 2026 The Virgo Moon moves through your 9th House of Travel, Learning, and Perspective, stirring curiosity and a desire to expand. — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stirring

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stirring

Adjective

Those superstars may have to yield to 21-year-old Bristol City striker Dom Ballard, who produced a moment of breathtaking improvisation during his side’s 2-2 draw away at Birmingham City on Saturday.

— Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026
Social media platforms teach us that every meal should be photographed, every child’s achievement deserves applause, every sunset should be breathtaking and every opinion must become an argument.

— Alan Webber, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of breathtaking

Adjective

Later, the Moon opposes Uranus in your 4th House of Home and Family, so a household need, emotional update, or living-space issue may interrupt your agenda.

— Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 20 Aug. 2026
Lisa Knight helped transition her son Will Schaaf into the program in March and said she’s seen growth in his confidence, decision making skills and his emotional state.

— Cam'ron Hardy, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 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

Second, the recent shifting of US export control policy has created a real concern among other nations that access to frontier intelligence itself could someday be gated by geopolitics, not just chips.

— Ashish Bhatia, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Recorded on a Tascam four-track in her Los Angeles living room, the demos capture Auf der Maur experimenting with acoustic guitar, bass, layered vocals and lo-fi tape manipulation, including reversing cassettes and pitch-shifting.

— SPIN Staff, SPIN, 20 July 2026

Definition of shifting

Verb

Earlier, Truckee Meadows Fire & Rescue in Washoe County, Nevada, said the fire was moving Northeast as of Saturday evening, according to a social media post.

— Jenna Harrison, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
People are already moving materials around in all of those places, and a lot of that work is repetitive, physically punishing, or puts people near real hazards.

— John Koetsier, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of moving

Verb

Corben has previously clashed with Gabela and Gabela’s wife, Mariela, who have accused Corben of provoking them to get views for his content.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 20 Aug. 2026
Keitel’s Feraud keeps provoking the feud; Carradine’s D’Hubert recognizes its madness but remains too bound by the same code of honor to walk away.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of provoking

Adjective

May 19 Just three months before her death, Panettiere releases her candid memoir detailing the progression of a once-exciting, new relationship that quickly escalated into years of domestic violence.

— Julianna Bragg, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
Romero holds a 17-2 record with 13 KOs, while Lopez stands at 22-2 with 13 KOs, promising an exciting clash.

— Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of exciting

Browse Nearby Words

stirred (up)

stirring

stirrings

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Stirring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stirring. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of stirring

adjective

noun

verb

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