stir up

/stər əp/

/stə əp/

Other forms: stirred up; stirring up; stirs up

Definitions of stir up

1. verb

   provoke or stir up
   synonyms: incite, instigate, set off

   types:

   raise

   activate or stir up

   type of:

   provoke, stimulate

   provide the needed stimulus for
2. verb

   arouse or excite feelings and passions
   “The refugees' fate stirred up compassion around the world”

   synonyms: fire up, heat, ignite, inflame, wake

   types:

   ferment

   work up into agitation or excitement

   type of:

   arouse, elicit, enkindle, evoke, fire, kindle, pique, provoke, raise

   call forth (emotions, feelings, and responses)
3. verb

   try to stir up public opinion
   synonyms: agitate, foment

   types:

   rumpus

   cause a disturbance

   type of:

   provoke, stimulate

   provide the needed stimulus for
4. verb

   change the arrangement or position of
   synonyms: agitate, commove, disturb, raise up, shake up, vex

   types:

   beat, scramble

   stir vigorously

   toss

   agitate

   rile, roil

   make turbid by stirring up the sediments of

   poke

   stir by poking

   tumble

   put clothes in a tumbling barrel, where they are whirled about in hot air, usually with the purpose of drying

   whip, whisk

   whip with or as if with a wire whisk

   cream

   make creamy by beating

   muddle, puddle

   make into a puddle

   type of:

   displace, move

   cause to move or shift into a new position or place, both in a concrete and in an abstract sense