stew 1 of 2

Definition of stewnext
1
as in huff
a state of nervous or irritated concern many in town are in a stew about the proposed plan to close at least one of the elementary schools

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2
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as in brothel
a building in which prostitutes are available a red-light district full of down and dirty stews

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stew

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to boil
to cook in a liquid heated to the point that it gives off steam stew the chicken till tender, and then remove the meat from the bones

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2
as in to worry
to experience concern or anxiety stop stewing over that game and just try to do better next time

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of stew
Noun
The shooting rattled classrooms in Shreveport where teachers like Hall on Monday came face-to-face with distraught parents and a messy stew of emotions. ABC News, 20 Apr. 2026 Her homage to San Francisco is the lemongrass cioppino, a herbaceous riff on the city’s classic Fisherman's Wharf stew. Susmita Baral, Travel + Leisure, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
Feast on fresh lobster, curried chicken, and stewed conch, among other island favorites, and wash it all down with a Carib at sunset at this still-secret, locals-only spot. Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 15 Apr. 2026 The Detroit Red Wings sat on the bench, stewing in stunned silence, after their latest loss sealed their fate as a franchise relegated to watching the NHL playoffs on TV. CBS News, 12 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stew
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stew
Noun
  • Among agonized grunts and huffs, Probst narrated the fumbles.
    Sarah Grant, New Yorker, 2 Feb. 2026
  • David walks out of the kitchen and Moira huffs and takes his spot over the pot.
    Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • White-Jacket did cause a stir with its discussion of the arbitrary and cruel use of flogging in the US Navy.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026
  • Remove the foil and give the orzo another good stir, then bake uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes more, until the orzo is tender and creamy.
    Kelly McCarthy, ABC News, 28 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Food scraps, leaves and wood chips are some essentials that make up the compost medley needed to repair the soil.
    Kara Finnstrom, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
  • Jennifer Hudson delivered a Dreamgirls medley during the event, nodding to the 2006 film in which Murphy starred.
    Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 20 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Pirates and brothels and casinos once set up camp in Fernandina Beach, the island's harbor town, and even Prohibition didn't shut down the town saloon.
    Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 26 Apr. 2026
  • The graffiti also alleged that one of the seven houses that was sprayed with paint was a brothel.
    Lexi Lane, PEOPLE, 19 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • One-Pan Fettuccine Alfredo with Chicken and Peas All the creaminess of a traditional chicken alfredo (one of our favorite chicken recipes)—minus the extra pot for boiling the pasta.
    Ashlyn Ware, Midwest Living, 24 Apr. 2026
  • Pouring 2 to 3 gallons of boiling water on a fire ant mound will kill the mound about 60% of the time.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 23 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • That worries Thomas Johnson, a Black voter in New Orleans who was at the state Capitol to lobby on unrelated legislation Wednesday when the Supreme Court ruling came down.
    Nicholas Riccardi, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
  • When Arakas was arrested, Bon neww worried that the police might have accessed the Estonian’s BlackBerry.
    Ed Caesar, New Yorker, 30 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Vivian, who is in her thirties, wore a black baseball cap, loose sweats, and a thick fur coat twice her size.
    Chang Che, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2026
  • The water- and sweat-resistant formula holds up during long days outside, while the lightweight finish stays comfortable without pilling or turning greasy.
    Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 24 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • With all of the commotion made about his on-base streak being snapped, his performance on the mound was almost an afterthought.
    Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2026
  • From its location away from the courtroom, the jury heard a commotion.
    Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Stew.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stew. Accessed 2 May. 2026.

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