as in to provoke
to bring something (volatile or intense) into being
couldn't stir up any interest in a Saturday morning outing to the art museum
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stir (up)
Verb
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The previous supreme leader made the mistake of enriching uranium but never building a nuclear weapon; in effect, his nuclear program went far enough to provoke the West into sanctions and military strikes but not far enough to provide protection.—
Nicholas D. Kristof,
Mercury News,
21 Mar. 2026 -
At work, Paige (Elle Chapman) punches a coworker who provokes her with truly unkind remarks about her father's death.—
Jessica Radloff,
Glamour,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Young raised concerns about the legitimacy, and even the existence, of the agreement.—
Syra Ortiz Blanes,
Miami Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
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The goal is to continue the mission with the money raised.—
Kerri Corrado,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Stir (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stir%20%28up%29. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
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