stir

To mix food or liquid by moving a spoon or similar tool around in it.

• Stir the soup slowly.
• She stirred sugar into her coffee.
• Have you stirred the mixture well?

How to use it: stir something into something (Stir the milk into the flour.); stir something with something (Stir the sauce with a wooden spoon.)

Similar words: mix

Common phrases: stir the soup, stir something into something, stir well, stir the pudding

To cause strong feelings, trouble, or disagreement to begin.

• The news stirred up anger.
• Her speech stirred strong feelings in the crowd.
• His latest decision has stirred up another debate.

How to use it: stir up something (His remarks stirred up anger among the workers.)

Similar words: arouse, provoke, cause

Opposites: calm

Common phrases: stir up trouble, stir up controversy, stir strong feelings

To mix what is inside a container by moving a spoon or another tool through it.

• Please stir the pot.
• She stirred the pan to stop the sauce burning.
• He stirred the bowl while I added milk.

Common phrases: stir the pot, stir the pan, stir the bowl

A strong reaction of excitement, surprise, or anger among a group of people.

• The news caused a stir.
• Her unexpected visit created quite a stir.
• Why did his speech cause such a stir?

Similar words: commotion, excitement, fuss

Common phrases: cause a stir, quite a stir, create a stir

A movement with a spoon or similar tool to mix a liquid or food.

• Give the soup a stir.
• The sauce needs another stir.
• A quick stir mixed the sugar into my tea.

Similar words: mix

Common phrases: give something a stir, a quick stir, a gentle stir

A noisy public disturbance, often involving anger or protest.

• There was a stir in town.
• Soldiers were sent to quiet the stir.
• The governor feared a stir among the hungry crowds.

Similar words: uproar, disturbance, tumult

Common phrases: a great stir, stir in town, public stir