1
2
as in to shift
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 to provoke
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 commotion
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 shifting
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 jail
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
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Recent Examples of stir
Miranda Nazzaro, The Hill, 15 Apr. 2025
The flow of money from the charity to big-dollar contributors to the governor’s political causes is already stirring debate in Florida’s Capitol, where House Republicans are digging into how the DeSantis administration is spending public money.
—Lawrence Mower, Miami Herald, 12 Apr. 2025
Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2025
The stylish interiors have been causing a stir online, as has the double-decker dining car.
—Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stir
Verb
The Trump administration’s back-and-forth moves on tariffs for technology products are stirring confusion in a sector heavily reliant on global supply chains.
—Miranda Nazzaro, The Hill, 15 Apr. 2025
The flow of money from the charity to big-dollar contributors to the governor’s political causes is already stirring debate in Florida’s Capitol, where House Republicans are digging into how the DeSantis administration is spending public money.
—Lawrence Mower, Miami Herald, 12 Apr. 2025
Noun
As if the Hollywood star showing up didn’t cause enough of a stir, a strange thing happened during the step and repeat.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2025
The stylish interiors have been causing a stir online, as has the double-decker dining car.
—Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stir
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stir
Verb
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Taylor made clear his intent to run again for mayor well before Thao’s recall election in November, while rumors of Lee’s candidacy began swirling even before the ex-mayor’s removal became official in December.—
Shomik Mukherjee,
Mercury News,
18 Apr. 2025
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While President Donald Trump paused his heavy reciprocal tariffs on countries for 90 days, his 10% universal tariff still stands, and there’s swirling uncertainty about what kind of levies are to come moving forward.—
Shannon Carroll,
Quartz,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
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As the operations location changes, such mobile buildings can be relocated or reconfigured to accommodate shifting project needs.—
Ascend Agency,
New York Daily News,
21 Apr. 2025
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Also worth noting: The back panels can shift to accommodate double-ended dildos.—
Malia Griggs,
SELF,
21 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Brit, still processing, clocks that Kenya was angling for a full-on meltdown, trying to provoke her into playing the aggressor.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
14 Apr. 2025
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Tariffs essentially act as an indirect tax on consumers, provoke retaliatory measures, drive inflation higher, and destabilize financial markets.—
Christian Catalini,
Forbes.com,
11 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Reynolds’ colleagues found 97% of people had never washed them, and many were contaminated by bacteria, including E. coli, from foods like raw meats and produce.—
Matt Fuchs,
Time,
21 Apr. 2025
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One of the incidents involved a mother and son whose vehicle was washed into a creek and later wedged against a drainage pipe, police told CNN affiliate KOCO.—
Matthew Rehbein,
CNN Money,
20 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The company intended to move the drug into late-stage testing, which is generally the last phase of development before a company submits the potential treatment to government regulators for approval.—
Time,
Time,
15 Apr. 2025
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The bill also included moving $1.1 million from the Constitutional Defense Fund into the Legislative Legal Defense Fund.—
Alex Brizee,
Idaho Statesman,
15 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The goal of the tax subsidies was to encourage more Americans to save for retirement.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
20 Apr. 2025
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This is achieved through proper irrigation, mowing, and fertilization to encourage healthy plant development.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
19 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The young singer was quickly whisked away to record a demo and get introduced to his mentor, Usher.—
Jenzia Burgos,
StyleCaster,
17 Apr. 2025
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As a Shanghai newbie, the Regent Experience agents were heaven-sent, sharing tourist advice and whisking me via house car to the pier for an evening river cruise.—
Travel + Leisure Editors,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Greece started its golden visa program in 2013 to stabilize housing prices and stimulate growth in a country facing a recession, skyrocketing unemployment, and austerity measures imposed by international lenders.—
Meehika Barua,
HubSpot,
18 Apr. 2025
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The importance of daylight The infrared light found in daylight can modulate inflammation, stimulate collagen production, prevent neurodegeneration, and even optimize mitochondria, which produce energy inside our cells.—
Ana Morales,
Vogue,
18 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stir.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stir. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
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