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Definitions

stir up

VERB
anger
Synonyms
STRONGEST
aggravate annoy antagonize arouse displease embitter enrage exacerbate exasperate excite incense inflame infuriate irritate offend outrage provoke rankle rile
STRONG
acerbate affront agitate bait boil bristle burn chafe craze cross fret gall goad madden miff nettle pique rant rave ruffle seethe stew tempt umbrage vex
WEAK
blow up boil over burn up egg on get mad get on one's nerves lose one's temper make sore raise hell steam up
Antonyms
STRONGEST
aid alleviate appease bore calm comfort compose delight help lull make happy pacify placate please quiet soothe tranquilize
STRONG
assist be happy discourage mollify
WEAK
forbear
VERB
awake
Synonyms
STRONGEST
awaken
STRONG
activate alert animate arouse enliven excite incite kindle provoke revive stimulate vivify
WEAK
call forth
Antonyms
STRONG
bore calm deaden discourage kill lull quiet stop
WEAK
go to sleep sleep
VERB
awaken
Synonyms
STRONGEST
arouse awake excite provoke revive rouse wake
STRONG
activate animate call enliven fan incite kindle rally stimulate vivify
WEAK
pile out rise and shine roll out show a leg turn out
Antonyms
STRONGEST
bore calm deaden lull quiet sleep
STRONG
discourage stop
WEAK
go to sleep hypnotize
VERB
brew
Synonyms
STRONGEST
foment loom
STRONG
breed compound concoct contrive develop excite form gather hatch impend mull plot project scheme start weave
Antonyms
STRONG
ignore neglect
VERB
churn
Synonyms
STRONGEST
boil bubble simmer swirl
STRONG
agitate convulse ferment foam froth jolt moil seethe toss
Antonyms
STRONGEST
freeze
VERB
confuse
Synonyms
STRONGEST
amaze astonish baffle befuddle bemuse complicate confound daze demoralize disconcert disorient distract embarrass fluster frustrate involve misinform mislead mortify muddle mystify obscure perplex perturb puzzle trouble unsettle upset worry
STRONG
abash addle becloud bedevil cloud clutter darken discomfit discompose discountenance faze fog fuddle nonplus rattle shame stump unhinge
WEAK
lead astray mess up render uncertain throw off throw off balance
Antonyms
STRONGEST
aid assist calm clarify clear up comfort encourage enlighten expect explain explicate facilitate help illuminate order please settle soothe support
WEAK
organize separate
VERB
egg on
Synonyms
WEAK
agitate arouse drive encourage excite exhort goad incite instigate pique prick prod prompt propel rally sic spur stimulate urge whip up
Antonyms
WEAK
discourage dissuade hold back talk out of
VERB
evoke
Synonyms
STRONGEST
arouse conjure elicit invoke provoke recall
STRONG
awaken call educe evince evolve excite extort extract milk raise rally rouse summon waken
WEAK
call forth give rise to
Antonyms
STRONG
calm deaden decrease ignore repress stop
WEAK
halt quell silence stifle suppress
VERB
excite
Synonyms
STRONGEST
agitate amaze anger animate annoy astound bother delight disturb energize irritate offend thrill turn on vex work up worry
STRONG
accelerate arouse awaken chafe discompose electrify elicit evoke fire fluster foment galvanize goad incite induce inflame infuriate instigate intensify jar jolt kindle madden mock move precipitate provoke quicken rouse start stimulate taunt tease titillate waken warm whet
WEAK
feed the fire touch off wake up
Antonyms
STRONGEST
aid assist calm depress discourage help make happy please quiet reassure soothe
STRONG
bore cool dampen deter disenchant dishearten dissuade dull end halt hinder praise prevent put out repress retard slow stop turn off weaken
WEAK
compose deaden lull moderate pacify tranquilize
VERB
fan
Synonyms
STRONGEST
arouse excite rouse whip up
STRONG
agitate enkindle expand extend increase stimulate
WEAK
add fuel impassion work up
Antonyms
STRONGEST
bore calm lull quiet
STRONG
abridge contract decrease lessen lower shorten shrink
VERB
ferment
Synonyms
STRONGEST
fester ripen simmer
STRONG
acidify boil brew bubble churn concoct dissolve effervesce evaporate excite fizz foam foment froth heat incite inflame leaven moil overflow provoke rise rouse seethe sour sparkle work
WEAK
be violent
Antonyms
STRONG
be happy calm cool dampen discourage dull freeze pacify stop tranquilize
VERB
fluster
Synonyms
STRONGEST
agitate bewilder confound confuse discombobulate distract muddle mystify nonplus perplex unhinge
STRONG
addle bother craze discompose disquiet disturb excite flip flurry frustrate fuddle hassle heat hurry puzzle rattle ruffle spook
WEAK
get to make nervous make waves psych throw off balance work up
Antonyms
STRONG
calm comfort compose help pacify quiet soothe
WEAK
settle
VERB
foment
Synonyms
STRONGEST
abet arouse brew incite whip up
STRONG
agitate cultivate encourage excite foster goad nurse nurture promote quicken raise set spur start stimulate
WEAK
fan the flames set on sow the seeds
Antonyms
STRONGEST
deter discourage
STRONG
calm conclude condemn depress destroy dissuade end finish ignore lull neglect quiet repress stop tranquilize
WEAK
cease dampen
VERB
get
Synonyms
STRONG
affect amuse arouse bend bias carry away dispose entertain excite gratify impress influence inspire move predispose prompt satisfy stimulate stir sway touch
WEAK
strike
VERB
incite
Synonyms
STRONGEST
abet agitate arouse encourage exhort foment inflame inspire instigate motivate prompt provoke rouse set off spur trigger urge whip up
STRONG
activate actuate animate coax craze drive excite force forward further goad impel induce influence inspirit persuade prick promote push raise set solicit stimulate taunt
WEAK
egg on fan the fire get to juice key up psych put up to talk into work up
Antonyms
STRONGEST
block calm dampen depress deter discourage dissuade halt lull prevent quiet soothe stop tranquilize
STRONG
cease check deaden delay finish hinder impede repress suppress
WEAK
prohibit
VERB
instigate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
abet bring about foment incite inflame initiate kindle plot prompt spur whip up
STRONG
actuate encourage goad hint impel insinuate move needle persuade plan raise rouse scheme start stimulate suggest urge
WEAK
add fuel egg on fire up make waves put up to rabble-rouse set on steam up turn on work up
Antonyms
STRONGEST
deter discourage dissuade halt neglect put out stop
STRONG
calm conclude depress finish ignore repress suppress
WEAK
prevent
VERB
muddle
Synonyms
STRONGEST
befuddle clutter complicate derange discombobulate disturb fluster perturb
STRONG
addle bewilder blunder botch bungle confound daze disarrange disorder disorient entangle foul jumble mess mix muck mumble murmur nonplus perplex rattle ravel ruffle scramble shuffle snafu snarl spoil stumble stupefy tangle throw tumble
WEAK
foul up louse up make a mess of misarrange mix up psych out throw off
Antonyms
STRONGEST
calm comfort explain order soothe
STRONG
arrange clarify clear up do well enlighten fix help organize speak clearly succeed uncomplicate untangle untwist
WEAK
educate explicate
VERB
perturb
Synonyms
STRONGEST
agitate alarm annoy bewilder confound confuse disconcert dismay disturb fluster irritate muddle perplex vex
STRONG
bother bug disarrange discompose discountenance disorder disquiet flurry needle pester ruffle trouble worry
WEAK
make a scene make waves
Antonyms
STRONGEST
aid assist assure calm clarify clear up comfort enlighten explain help make happy order organize please quiet reassure soothe
VERB
prod
Synonyms
STRONGEST
goad motivate prompt propel provoke remind spur stimulate
STRONG
crowd excite exhort goose impel instigate move pique prick push rouse sic sound spark trigger
WEAK
egg on jog memory turn on
Antonyms
STRONGEST
depress discourage dissuade halt prevent stop
STRONG
calm quiet repress suppress
VERB
raise
Synonyms
STRONGEST
cause set suggest
STRONG
abet activate advance arouse awaken broach evoke excite foment foster incite instigate kindle moot motivate provoke resurrect
WEAK
bring up put forward set on whip up
Antonyms
STRONG
bore calm deaden deter discourage dissuade halt lull prevent quiet repress stop
WEAK
abandon decrease ignore neglect reduce suppress
VERB
remind
Synonyms
STRONGEST
admonish advise caution emphasize mention note point out prod prompt recall remember stress suggest warn
STRONG
bethink cite hint imply intimate recollect reminisce retain retrospect revive
WEAK
bring back to bring to mind call attention call to mind call up give a cue jog one's memory make one remember make one think put in mind refresh memory
Antonyms
STRONGEST
forget ignore
VERB
roil
Synonyms
STRONGEST
disturb rile
STRONG
agitate annoy bother displease disquiet vex
Antonyms
STRONG
aid calm help make happy please soothe
VERB
set
Synonyms
STRONGEST
begin initiate raise
STRONG
abet commence foment instigate provoke
WEAK
put in motion set on whip up
Antonyms
STRONGEST
conclude end finish ignore neglect
STRONG
cease discourage halt prevent stop
WEAK
ascend displace dissuade go up hinder liquefy remove rise soften
VERB
shake
Synonyms
STRONGEST
convulse disturb jolt rattle rock roil shudder sway swing upset wave
STRONG
agitate brandish bump chatter churn commove concuss discompose disquiet dither dodder flap flicker flit flitter flourish fluctuate flutter jar jerk jog joggle jounce move oscillate palpitate perturb quail quake quaver reel ruffle shimmer shimmy shiver stagger succuss totter tremor twitter vibrate waggle water whip wobble
WEAK
set in motion
Antonyms
STRONGEST
steady
STRONG
be still
VERB
shake up
Synonyms
STRONGEST
disturb reorganize shock
WEAK
agitate break with past cause revolution churn up clean out clean up clear out liquidate make a clean sweep mix overturn purge remove rid turn upside down
Antonyms
WEAK
calm placate soothe
VERB
stimulate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
arouse encourage inspire prompt quicken spark spur trigger vitalize
STRONG
activate animate commove dynamize elate energize enliven exhilarate fan fire foment foster galvanize goad grab hook impel incite inflame innervate instigate jazz motivate move perk pique prod rouse send spirit support urge vivify whet
WEAK
build a fire under fire up get one going get one started innerve juice key up set up steam up turn on wake up work up
Antonyms
STRONGEST
block discourage dissuade halt stop
STRONG
bore dampen delay depress deter dishearten dull let go neglect release tire
WEAK
calm
VERB
stir
Synonyms
STRONGEST
affect arouse energize galvanize inflame inspire kindle prompt provoke raise rouse spark spur touch trigger whip up
STRONG
abet actuate agitate animate awaken bestir challenge craze drive electrify excite foment impel motivate move quicken rally rile rout set spook thrill urge vitalize wake waken whet
WEAK
add fuel to fire feed the fire make waves psych roust stir embers switch on work up
Antonyms
STRONGEST
calm depress discourage disenchant dissuade halt prevent stop
STRONG
bore dampen deaden dishearten dull hinder impede lull quiet repress retard slow tranquilize weaken
WEAK
laze leave alone rest wait
VERB
thrill
Synonyms
STRONGEST
animate delight electrify enchant fire up inspire tickle titillate wow
STRONG
arouse enthuse flush flutter galvanize glow grab juice move palpitate quicken quiver rally rouse score send stir tingle tremble
WEAK
blow away go over big key up knock one's socks off race one's motor turn on
Antonyms
STRONGEST
discourage disenchant repulse
STRONG
be still calm dissuade dull lose retard weaken
WEAK
bring down depress dishearten
VERB
trouble
Synonyms
STRONGEST
afflict agitate annoy burden concern disconcert disturb irk irritate perplex perturb plague sadden strain torment upset vex
STRONG
ail bug discommode discompose disoblige disquiet distress fret grieve harass harry inconvenience pain pester spook stress try
WEAK
burn up drive up the wall flip out get to give a bad time give a hard time impose on make a fuss make a scene make waves psych put out
Antonyms
STRONGEST
aid assist calm comfort delight help make happy order please quiet soothe
STRONG
support
WEAK
be content be happy
VERB
turn on
Synonyms
WEAK
arouse attract captivate enchant excite get started initiate introduce please show stimulate thrill titillate work up
Antonyms
WEAK
disenchant disgust displease turn off
VERB
upset
Synonyms
STRONGEST
agitate bewilder dismay distract disturb perturb unnerve unsettle
STRONG
afflict ail bug confound cramp craze debilitate derange discombobulate discompose disconcert disquiet distress flip floor flurry fluster grieve incapacitate indispose pother rattle ruffle sicken spook turn unhinge
WEAK
egg on fire up flip out get to give a hard time key up lay up make a scene make waves pick on psych rock the boat throw off balance turn on
Antonyms
STRONGEST
calm encourage explain quiet soothe
STRONG
aid allow assist clear up comfort cure help mend please settle
WEAK
delight make happy
VERB
wake/waken
Synonyms
WEAK
activate animate arouse awaken challenge enliven fire fire up freshen galvanize grasp jazz up key up kindle notice pep up provoke quicken rally renew rouse see steam up switch on understand whet zip up
Antonyms
WEAK
discourage dissuade nap sleep
VERB
whip up
Synonyms
STRONGEST
agitate arouse foment inflame instigate kindle provoke stir work up
WEAK
abet compel disturb drive goad hound prick prod push raise set set on spur start urge
Antonyms
STRONGEST
calm discourage dissuade halt lull prevent put out quiet soothe stop tranquilize
VERB
work up
Synonyms
STRONGEST
agitate animate excite get up inflame rouse
WEAK
arouse breed cause develop engender generate hatch improve incite induce instigate move muster up occasion produce spur
Antonyms
STRONGEST
calm deaden lull pacify quiet soothe tranquilize
WEAK
discourage dissuade

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

At times, the novels stir up memories from the women’s lives, prompting poignant, often vulnerable discussions.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 28, 2026

A son, Tom, lacked his sisters’ ability to stir up scandal.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

Some of your friends have likely already achieved this milestone, which can stir up anxiety about where you are in life compared with them.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 25, 2026

In many parts of the ocean, strong storms stir up cooler water from below, which can weaken the storm.

From Science Daily • Dec. 25, 2025

His efforts just seemed to stir up the mud and make the water dirtier.

From "Holes" by Louis Sachar