stirring

1 of 3

adjective

stir·​ring ˈstər-iŋ How to pronounce stirring (audio)
Synonyms of stirringnext
1
: active, bustling
2
: rousing entry 1, inspiring entry 1
a stirring speech

stirring

2 of 3

noun

: a beginning of motion or activity : movement
—often plural
the first stirrings of revolution

stirring

3 of 3

present participle of stir entry 1

Synonyms of stirring

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Adjective

Noun

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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
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.
Adjective
Finding an instability that spins up vortexes along the edge of every magnetic element means finding a stirring mechanism where none was expected to exist. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 7 Aug. 2026 Facing global threats, including a kingdom of undersea warriors, a new Black Panther comes to the forefront in a stirring story about life, legacy and loss. — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 2 Aug. 2026
Noun
Add the peaches, cinnamon, and salt, and cook, stirring, until the peaches thaw and begin to release their juices, about 5 minutes. — ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026 Cook, stirring, until lettuce starts to wilt, about 30 seconds. — Nick Wong, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stirring

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of stirring was before the 12th century

Rhymes for stirring

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Browse Nearby Words

stirrer
stirring
stirringly
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Cite this Entry

“Stirring.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stirring. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

stirring

adjective
stir·​ring
ˈstər-iŋ
: moving sense 3, inspiring
a stirring speech
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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