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
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Adjective
Defying the odds, Onwards and Sideways emerges as a stirring lesson on learning to address the inevitable with grace and acceptance. — Michael Rechtshaffen, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2026 Saturday’s game began with a stirring rendition of the Star Spangled Banner by violinist Demola. — Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2026
Noun
It is aged for 11 months on the lees with little to no stirring and has aromas of yellow plum, peach, and citrus flowers with balanced acidity that pave the way for flavors of citrus pith, grapefruit, and green apple. — Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2026 Echoes of Weerasethakul aside, Chidgasornpongse has sculpted a stirring, unnerving film with its own acuity and rhythm. — Lé Baltar, IndieWire, 8 Oct. 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 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

stirring

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