adj · noun · verb · 7 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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General-American:/ˈstɝɪŋ/
Received-Pronunciation:/ˈstɜːɹɪŋ/
US:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
rhymes with -ɜːɹɪŋ
CMU ARPABET:S T ER1 IH0 NG
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
adj
Meaning 1
invigorating or inspiring
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
22 March 2012, Scott Tobias, AV Club The Hunger Gameshttp://www.avclub.com/articles/the-hunger-games,71293/ The opening crawl (and a stirring propaganda movie) informs us that “The Hunger Games” are an annual event in Panem, a North American nation divided into 12 different districts, each in service to the Capitol, a wealthy metropolis that owes its creature comforts to an oppressive dictatorship.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
noun
Meaning 2
An occasion on which something stirs or is stirred
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, gerund, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
verb
Meaning 3
present participle and gerund of stir
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: form-of, gerund, participle, present
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
adjective satellite
Meaning 4
exciting strong but not unpleasant emotions
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
a stirring speech
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: soul-stirring
Antonyms: none provided
5
adjective satellite
Meaning 5
capable of arousing enthusiasm or excitement
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
a rousing sermon
stirring events such as wars and rescues
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: rousing
Antonyms: none provided
6
noun
Meaning 6
agitating a liquid with an implement
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
constant stirring prevents it from burning on the bottom of the pan
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: agitation
7
noun
Meaning 7
arousing to a particular emotion or action
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: inspiration
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: arousal, rousing
History
Etymology
By surface analysis, stir + -ing.
Across languages
Translations
8 source translations are retained for this English entry.