stir up

verb

stirred up; stirring up; stirs up

transitive verb

1

: to cause (someone) to feel a strong emotion and a desire to do something

The speech stirred up the crowd.

2

: to cause (something) to move up into and through the air or water

The workers stirred up a lot of dust.

3

: to disturb the quiet of : agitate

a bear stirring up the bees

4

: to cause (something, usually something bad or unpleasant) to happen

They're trying to stir up trouble.

But, of course, there's a reason politicians generally try to communicate deliberately: It helps them avoid saying things that might offend voters or stir up controversy.

—Philip Bump

I'm not a rebel, trying to stir things up just to be provocative.

—Norma Klein

… the incident stirred up a hornet's nest of protest and indignation.

—Robert T. Martinott

Examples of stir up in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Still, your professional path stirs up tension, especially if your career is no longer reflecting your core values. —Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026

The moon's clash with Chiron today can stir up insecurities about fitting in. —Usa Today, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026

Sadly, the nation witnessed once again Saturday evening at what should have been the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner what happens when unhinged heated rhetoric stirs up hatred for one’s political opponents. —Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026

At times, the novels stir up memories from the women’s lives, prompting poignant, often vulnerable discussions. —Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for stir up

• backup
• blowup
• breakup
• buildup
• checkup
• cleanup
• holdup
• hookup
• lineup
• lockup
• makeup
• markup