BESTIR Synonyms: 33 Similar and Opposite Words

bestir

verb

Definition of bestir

as in to awaken

Related Words

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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 bestir Newspapers can barely bestir themselves to report on the latest inhumanity in Ukraine — the latest bombing of a school, say. — Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 25 Nov. 2024 The New York Times finally bestirred itself to report on Reade’s charges, burying them on page A20 of its Easter Sunday edition. — Nr Editors, National Review, 16 Apr. 2020 If the charges against Bob Kraft are proven to be true, then Goodell should bestir himself to punish the Patriots owner severely, and with something beyond a fine. — Charles P. Pierce, Sports Illustrated, 16 Mar. 2019 Drew Nolan caused his coach, Harry Litwack, to bestir himself from the bench. — Frank Fitzpatrick, Philly.com, 8 June 2018 Nobody in all his years of coaching at Temple has bestirred Litwack from the bench so often as Drew Nolan. — Frank Fitzpatrick, Philly.com, 8 June 2018 And yet most of us have still not bestirred ourselves to care, much less to march in the streets demanding change. — Dino Grandoni, Washington Post, 19 Sep. 2017

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bestir

Verb

This case has awakened debates about infanticide laws, which provide legal defenses only to mothers who kill their infant.

— Dr. Susan Hatters Friedman, Hartford Courant, 23 Aug. 2026
The co-creators had already hinted that after season 1, the subsequent installments would take the action back to 1935 and 1908, as the creature awakens from his sleep cycle every 27 years.

— Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of awaken

Verb

Like spacious minor-key chords given a subtle major-key lift, these color combinations can arouse powerful emotions that are excruciatingly just short of fulfillment.

— Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 27 Aug. 2026
Making the set attractive to the children will arouse their interest, encourage them to keep playing and push them to improve.

— BestReviews, Mercury News, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of arouse

Verb

The boy awoke at a family cottage in northern Ontario in 2024 with a bat resting across his nose and mouth.

— Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
Newcastle yearned to win, to fulfil the dream awoken by Keegan — who died of cancer last month — and Isak was part of the team that finally did it, a languid forward with a kiss for a touch who scored at Wembley when Liverpool were beaten.

— George Caulkin, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of awake

Verb

Join the dearly beloved under the stars for a reception worthy of the afterlife, with spirited DJ sets, drinks to wake the dead, and a free photobooth for your drop-dead gorgeous wedding portrait.

— Beatrice Verhoeven, HollywoodReporter, 25 Aug. 2026
Ensemble sitcoms live and die by their chemistry, so the cast — encouraged by Kronengold and Shaw — spend almost every waking moment together while filming.

— CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of wake

Browse Nearby Words

besting

bestir

bestirred

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Style

“Bestir.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bestir. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of bestir

verb

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