to cause a stir

Examples

• All

• On 8 November 1999, some Greenpeace activists caused a stir at a Wellcome store in Causeway Bay (Hong Kong Island).

  Academic text (2001)

• Thus, when the French National Front, led by Jean-Marie Le Pen, first caused a stir in the municipal elections of 1983, it was dismissed as "vestige of history."

  Academic text (1994)

• Instead, it seems they like to cause a stir with the fans.

  Blog text (15)

• In the end, good design is good design, and if you are causing a stir, then I think you are doing something right.

  Blog text (8)

• Applied to Gates, it caused a stir because Gates is a big man in the larger community.

  Blog text (27)

• The initiative, no longer in effect, caused a stir during its two-year run, with mixed views from the student population.

  Blog text (7)

• Thunderbird, focusing only on stability and security, certainly caused a stir.

  Blog text (4)

• We've seen Robson cause a stir before in Grand Slams.

  Blog text (1)

• It's been more than fifty years since British scientist and novelist C. P. Snow caused a stir with his famous Rede lecture of 1959 titled, "The Two Cultures."

  Academic text (2011)

• The celebrity's unexpected announcement will surely cause a stir in the entertainment world.

Synonyms

S

to stir

vsto cause a stir

131 3.7

To make someone feel a strong emotion

is about drawing attention through interest or controversy rather than emotion alone

P

to provoke

vsto cause a stir

115 3.7

Cause a reaction or feeling

is specifically about drawing attention, interest, or controversy rather than any reaction

S

to stir up

vsto cause a stir

48 4.8

To make people feel strong emotions like anger or fear

creates attention or controversy more broadly, not always with malice

M

to make news

vsto cause a stir

• Literature

26 3.4

To get attention by appearing in news reports

is about drawing attention whether or not covered by news outlets

M

to make waves

vsto cause a stir

• Informal

12 4.9

To get attention or cause trouble by changing the usual way things are done

is broader, covering attention from both change and mere interest

M

to make a splash

vsto cause a stir

11 3.9

Get a lot of attention in an exciting way

includes attention but also covers controversy and quieter interest

S

to stir the pot

vsto cause a stir

• Informal

8 8.0

To cause trouble by saying things to make people argue

may attract attention without aiming to cause internal conflict

S

to spark outrage

vsto cause a stir

4 5.8

Make many people very angry

covers attention or interest that may be positive or neutral as well

S

to spark debate

vsto cause a stir

2 3.7

To make people start talking and disagree about a topic

is wider, causing attention or interest beyond just discussion

S

to spark a firestorm

vsto cause a stir

1 7.0

To cause many people to show strong public anger or criticism

creates attention or interest more generally, not only intense backlash

S

to spark a debate

vsto cause a stir

1 3.7

To cause people to start a strong, lively discussion

is broader, covering attention that is not always argumentative

I

to inflame public opinion

vsto cause a stir

• Literature

1 7.7

To make many people feel angry or shocked about something

is about attracting attention broadly, not only intensifying public anger

S

to stir shit

vsto cause a stir

• Offensive

1 9.9

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

may produce attention or controversy without deliberate insult or harm

C

to create quite a sensation

vsto cause a stir

1 5.6

To cause a lot of public interest and excitement

focuses more on attention from controversy or interest rather than only surprise

S

to spark heated debate

vsto cause a stir

1 5.4

Cause strong arguments about a topic, often on public issues

can start debate but also creates lighter interest or excitement

B

to brew up a storm

vsto cause a stir

• Informal

7.1

To cause a lot of excitement and strong reactions

can do this but also covers milder interest or controversy

W

to whip up a storm

vsto cause a stir

• Informal

6.8

To make food quickly or to cause strong excitement

is similar but may be less sudden or theatrical

D

to detonate controversy

vsto cause a stir

8.1

To cause a strong public argument that divides people

can cause disagreement but also works by creating interest or excitement

O

to open a hornets' nest

vsto cause a stir

• Informal

7.7

To cause a lot of trouble and anger among people

may cause controversy but can also mean positive excitement or interest

C

to catapult into the spotlight

vsto cause a stir

• Informal

6.8

Make someone suddenly very famous

may attract attention more gradually or through controversy rather than sudden fame

S

to stir up drama

vsto cause a stir

• Informal

7.0

To cause trouble between people to get attention

can cause emotional reactions but also simply create interest without harm

S

to shit-stir

vsto cause a stir

• Offensive

9.9

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

is about attracting attention or interest, not necessarily causing harm

How Exciting

to create quite a sensation

1 5.6

to cause a stir

6 4.0

to draw attention

71 2.5

to arouse interest

3.8

to raise an eyebrow

9 4.5

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology