stir

[stɜːr]

stir Definition

• 1. to mix a liquid or other substance by moving an object such as a spoon in a circular pattern
• 2. to cause a feeling or emotion to start to be felt
• 3. to move slightly or make someone or something move slightly

Using stir: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "stir" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  Stir the soup until it is smooth.

• Example

  The speech stirred the audience to action.

• Example

  The wind stirred the leaves on the trees.

• Example

  She stirred her coffee with a spoon.

stir Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for stir

• mix
• blend
• agitate
• rouse
• provoke
• move
• shift
• shake

Antonyms for stir

• calm
• soothe
• still

Idioms Using stir

• stir the pot

  to deliberately cause trouble or provoke a reaction

  Example

  He's always stirring the pot and causing drama.

• stir the blood

  to excite or arouse strong emotions or passions

  Example

  The patriotic music stirred the blood of the crowd, and they began to cheer.

• stir the soul

  to deeply move or inspire someone emotionally or spiritually

  Example

  The beauty of the sunset over the ocean stirred my soul and brought tears to my eyes.

Phrases with stir

• stir up trouble

  to cause problems or create difficulties

  Example

  He was always stirring up trouble at work.

• stir one's imagination

  to inspire or stimulate one's creativity or curiosity

  Example

  The beautiful scenery stirred my imagination and made me want to paint.

• stir-crazy

  feeling restless or anxious from being confined to a small space for too long

  Example

  After being stuck inside for days due to the snowstorm, I was starting to feel stir-crazy.

Origins of stir

from Old English 'styrian'

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Summary: stir in Brief

To 'stir' [stɜːr] means to mix a substance, cause a feeling or emotion, or move slightly. It can refer to physical actions like stirring soup or emotional responses like stirring up trouble. Phrases like 'stir the pot' and idioms like 'stir the blood' denote deliberate provocation or emotional arousal. 'Stir' has formal synonyms like 'agitate' and informal ones like 'get going.'