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stir

stir

80 4.2
A short time of excitement and activity
  • noun
  • /stɜr/
translation icon : revuelto
  • Her unexpected visit to the party caused quite a stir in the neighborhood.
  • cause a stir
  • create a stir
  • a great stir

Trump tweeted, which caused a lot of stir in the mainstream media.

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Examples

  • So you can imagine the stir your little visit... is causing among my staff, Mr. Graham.

  • YOUR IMPENDING ARRIVAL HAS CREATED QUITE A STIR IN SALT FORK, MISS CAMERON.

  • And it's creating a stir on the other side.

  • There was quite a stir, as can be imagined, following this e-mail.

    Academic text (2007)
  • Yeah, so you've been causing a stir this week.

  • A few years ago, that would've caused a stir.

  • Trump tweeted, which caused a lot of stir in the mainstream media.

  • Dean Lawrence... your homily has caused quite the stir.

  • The influx of disruptive behaviors is causing quite a stir throughout classrooms in America.

    Academic text (2011)
  • The announcement of the new policy has created a stir among the employees.

Synonyms

fuss
vsstir
145 1.5

A lot of worry or complaint about something small

is a neutral burst of excitement and activity, not judged unnecessary
commotion
vsstir
73 4.1

A noisy situation when people are excited or confused

is a shorter burst of excitement or activity rather than ongoing disorder
ado
vsstir
58 8.0

Fuss and busy activity about something that is not needed

is a simple state of excited activity without implying uselessness
flurry
vsstir
53 3.9

A sudden short burst of activity, wind, or snow

is the same idea but used for any short excited state
hustle
vsstir
53 4.3

A busy, energetic time or place with a lot of movement

is a momentary spike of excitement rather than continuous hurried work
uproar
vsstir
47 3.9

A loud, confused noise and activity by a group of people

is a brief burst of excitement rather than prolonged crowd noise
disturbance
vsstir
45 3.7

A noisy event in a public place that bothers other people

is a general short-lived excited state rather than a full event
explosion
vsstir
44 3.0

A sudden strong burst of emotion or noise

is less extreme usually a quick excited burst rather than violent commotion
ruckus
vsstir
  • Informal
31 6.8

A loud, confused noise made by people arguing or shouting

is milder, implying a quick moment of excitement rather than conflict
splash
vsstir
  • Literature
27 4.5

A short news event that gets a lot of public attention

is broader, referring to any brief excited activity inside many contexts
bustle
vsstir
20 4.1

Busy, noisy movement in a place with many people

is focused more on a short burst of excitement than sustained activity
furor
vsstir
  • US
20 7.0

A strong public reaction like anger or excitement

is a smaller-scale burst of excitement, not necessarily public reaction
turbulence
vsstir
18 7.7

A time of strong political or social disorder

is less domain specific and usually smaller in scale and impact
tumult
vsstir
12 7.7

A noisy, confused situation with a crowd behaving badly

is a smaller, momentary burst of excitement instead of large disorder
hullabaloo
vsstir
  • Informal
7 7.9

A loud noisy fuss made by people, often during protests or celebrations

is similar but can also mean any brief excited activity or commotion
4 3.6

A short busy time when many people do things quickly

is similar but can be a single quick spark of excitement
stirring
vsstir
3 3.7

Small first signs of a feeling, idea, or action starting to grow

is a fuller burst of excitement rather than an initial gentle feeling
excitation
vsstir
  • NSFW
2 7.7

A strong feeling of happiness and nervous energy

is a brief state of excitement rather than a sustained aroused condition
ruction
vsstir
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A noisy argument or fight that makes a place loud and confused

is more neutral, simply a short burst of activity not argument

A sudden violent crowd event that causes confusion and danger

is less violent and more like a temporary burst of activity

Antonyms

38 3.5

A time of complete quiet and no movement that feels calm

9 2.7

A state without strong feelings or worry in your mind

Idioms

to stir the pot
  • Informal
8 8.0

To cause trouble by saying things to make people argue

To make someone feel strong excitement or deep emotion

To make old feelings or memories strong again

Compounds

4 2.1

A dish made by quickly frying small pieces of food in a little hot oil while stirring

Rice quickly cooked in a little oil with vegetables or meat

shit-stir
  • Offensive
9.9

A person who says or does things that cause arguments and make people angry

How Intense

chaos
438 3.1
uproar
47 3.9
stir
80 4.2
commotion
73 4.1
buzz
110 2.6

Surface Forms

stir singular
stirs plural

Etymology

Stir comes from the same old English root styrian meaning 'to move'. A stir is a short burst of movement or activity, a small commotion when people or things are 'moved' about.