to stir

Examples

• All

• The ghosts of drowned rivers stir restlessly beneath the placid waters of reservoirs.

  Academic text (1993)

• Now the other inhabitants of the box were stirring, ready to emerge of their own accord.

  Fiction book (1990)

• "Something at last began to stir within him."

  The Seventh Cross (1944)

• The reinforced Austrian army is beginning to stir under a new commander.

• With the reformers starting to stir up the American public, there was no time to waste.

  Academic text (1998)

• And now, more trouble is stirring.

  March of the Dinosaurs (2011)

• So now I need to uncover, raise heat to medium and stir in salt and sugar.

• The fowls roosting along the grapevines had begun to stir and call.

• Its long tail swished back and forth, stirring up the dust on the barren plain.

  Fiction book (1992)

• As the music played, she began to stir in her seat, feeling the rhythm.

Synonyms

W

to wiggle

vsto stir

89 1.0

To move with small, quick movements from side to side or up and down

is about initiating slight motion rather than repeated playful movement

B

to budge

vsto stir

66 3.1

Move or make something move a little after being stuck

begins movement from stillness rather than requiring force

R

to ripple

vsto stir

49 2.7

To move in small waves on water when wind blows

is broader, meaning any small start of movement not only waves

W

to wobble

vsto stir

40 3.8

To move or shake unsteadily from side to side

is simpler, meaning a small start of motion rather than unstable shaking

F

to flutter

vsto stir

35 3.5

To move quickly and lightly back and forth, like wings or leaves

is about beginning to move slightly, not rapid light flicking

W

to waver

vsto stir

12 4.8

To move or shake in a slight, unsteady way

refers to starting motion slightly, not to prolonged unsteady movement

R

to riffle

vsto stir

1 7.6

To make small ripples on water by moving it slightly

is a general start of small motion not limited to water

W

to wabble

vsto stir

8.9

To move unsteadily from side to side

is about a small initial movement rather than broad unstable shaking

Antonyms

S

to stay put

• Informal

133 2.0

Remain in the same place without moving

S

to stay in place

10 1.5

Not move from a place

Idioms

S

to stir the pot

• Informal

8 8.0

To cause trouble by saying things to make people argue

S

to stir someone's blood

6.0

To make someone feel strong excitement or deep emotion

S

to stir the embers

7.8

To make old feelings or memories strong again

Phrasal Verbs

S

to stir up

48 4.8

To make people feel strong emotions like anger or fear

C

to cause a stir

6 4.0

Make people feel excited or upset and attract attention

S

to stir trouble

• Informal

5 5.3

To cause fights or problems between people on purpose

S

to stir shit

• Offensive

1 9.9

To say or do things to make others angry and start fights

S

to shit-stir

• Offensive

9.9

To say or do things that cause arguments and make people angry

S

to stir up drama

• Informal

7.0

To cause trouble between people to get attention

Compounds

S

stir-fry

4 2.1

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

S

stir-fried rice

1 1.6

Rice quickly cooked in a little oil with vegetables or meat

S

shit-stir

• Offensive

9.9

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

How Much Movement

to move

∞ 1.0

shift

363 3.5

to budge

66 3.1

to stir

75 1.0

to twitch

66 2.8

Surface Forms

Etymology