: a beginning of motion or activity : movement
—often used in plural
the first stirrings of revolution
Synonyms
Examples of stirring in a Sentence
Adjective
a stirring rendition of the national anthem
the message of brotherhood in Martin Luther King's stirring “I Have a Dream” speech still resonates today
Noun
I thought I detected a slight stirring of the leaves, and yet there wasn't a breath of wind.
Recent Examples on the Web
Matthew Futterman, The Athletic, 16 Jan. 2025
The moment was held after a stirring speech by former Rams offensive lineman Andrew Whitworth.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC News, 14 Jan. 2025
Johna Burdeos, Health, 20 Jan. 2025
The track is a nearly motionless waltz, with dark ambient stirrings of distorted guitar, wafting toward relief or death.
—Jon Pareles, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for stirring 
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Adjective
The injury ends what had looked at times like a stirring run for Osaka in Australia and New Zealand.
—Matthew Futterman, The Athletic, 16 Jan. 2025
The moment was held after a stirring speech by former Rams offensive lineman Andrew Whitworth.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC News, 14 Jan. 2025
Noun
Stir-fry: Stir-frying cooks food quickly over high heat in a wok or large pan, using a small amount of oil and frequent stirring to prevent sticking and burning.
—Johna Burdeos, Health, 20 Jan. 2025
The track is a nearly motionless waltz, with dark ambient stirrings of distorted guitar, wafting toward relief or death.
—Jon Pareles, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for stirring
Dictionary Entries Near stirring
Cite this Entry
“Stirring.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stirring. Accessed 24 Jan. 2025.
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