to bestir
- verb
- /bɪˈstɜr/
- Formal
- We may make these times better if we bestir ourselves.
Examples
-
When I am without pain, help me to remember those who suffer, and remembering, help me to destroy my complacency; bestir my compassion, and be concerned enough to help.
Blog text (29) -
Therefore remember that you must bestir yourself with no slight effort to lay hold of them.
-
Even when it became aware of what was happening, it did not bestir itself to phone for help.
Fiction book (2001) -
In a while, I thought, I will have to move, somehow bestir myself, to ease this pain.
Fiction book (1990) -
Should we not bestir ourselves in our time for the year 2003 to ensure that Gilbert gets wider recognition on the quatercentenary?
Academic text (1991) -
Now and then, the husband would bestir himself, make tea, and serve it to the waiting women, then sweep up the piles of cuttings.
Fiction book (1994) -
A lanky blonde, seated across the room near Jenny, bestirs herself.
Fiction book (2002) -
Lookouts, bestir yourselves!
-
Some will grouse, but if you don't spend a lot of money, most won't bestir themselves too much; and lots, even folks who may not be with you on more substantive things, will like these things.
Blog text (24) -
She needs to bestir herself and start studying for the exam if she wants to pass.
Synonyms
Start being active or hurry to do something
To wake someone up and make them alert after sleep
To make an effort to become active after doing nothing
Antonyms
Phrasal Verbs
How Active
- Formal
- Informal
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
The word bestir comes from the prefix be- meaning 'make' and the verb stir meaning 'move'. So to bestir yourself is to 'make yourself move' and become active when you have been slow or inactive.