What Is Another Way to Say “Stir Up”?

Looking for synonyms for stir up? We’ve got you covered!

Here’s a list of other ways to say stir up.

  • Incite
  • Provoke
  • Instigate
  • Agitate
  • Rouse
  • Excite
  • Stir
  • Kindle
  • Arouse
  • Foment
  • Whip up
  • Galvanize
  • Inflame
  • Spark
  • Animate
  • Encourage
  • Spur
  • Ignite
  • Fuel
  • Trigger

Want to learn how to say stir up professionally? Keep reading for examples and use cases.

1. Incite

Appropriate Use: To encourage or stir up violent or unlawful behavior.
Example: “The leader’s speech was accused of inciting unrest among the workforce.”

2. Provoke

Appropriate Use: To stimulate or give rise to a reaction or emotion, typically a strong or unwelcome one, in someone.
Example: “The abrupt changes in policy could provoke resistance from the employees.”

3. Instigate

Appropriate Use: To initiate or bring about, typically with harmful intent.
Example: “He was known to instigate disputes among team members for his own advantage.”

4. Agitate

Appropriate Use: To make someone troubled or nervous; to campaign for change.
Example: “The announcement about layoffs began to agitate the staff.”

5. Rouse

Appropriate Use: To awaken or incite into action or feeling.
Example: “The CEO’s speech roused the employees’ enthusiasm for the new direction of the company.”

6. Excite

Appropriate Use: To cause strong feelings of enthusiasm and eagerness in someone.
Example: “The prospect of technological innovation excited the research team.”

7. Stir

Appropriate Use: To cause a disturbance or trouble.
Example: “His comments during the meeting were intended to stir a debate.”

8. Kindle

Appropriate Use: To arouse or inspire (an emotion or feeling).
Example: “The success story of the startup kindled a desire in many to become entrepreneurs.”

9. Arouse

Appropriate Use: To evoke or awaken a feeling, emotion, or response.
Example: “The campaign’s aim was to arouse public awareness about environmental issues.”

10. Foment

Appropriate Use: To instigate or stir up (an undesirable or violent sentiment or course of action).
Example: “They were accused of fomenting dissent within the organization.”

11. Whip Up

Appropriate Use: To encourage or stir up violent or unlawful behavior; to quickly create something.
Example: “He managed to whip up enthusiasm for the project despite initial skepticism.”

12. Galvanize

Appropriate Use: To shock or excite someone into taking action.
Example: “The challenge ahead galvanized the team into action.”

13. Inflame

Appropriate Use: To provoke or intensify strong feelings in someone.
Example: “The new regulations inflamed opinions among the staff.”

14. Spark

Appropriate Use: To trigger a reaction or inspire.
Example: “The creative workshop sparked a host of innovative ideas.”

15. Animate

Appropriate Use: To give life or energy to something.
Example: “Her passion for the project animated the whole team.”

16. Encourage

Appropriate Use: To give support, confidence, or hope to someone.
Example: “He encouraged his colleagues to embrace the new company policy.”

17. Spur

Appropriate Use: To urge or prompt into action.
Example: “The recent market changes served to spur the company to diversify its products.”

18. Ignite

Appropriate Use: To spark or set off a reaction or emotion.
Example: “The innovative design ignited interest across the industry.”

19. Fuel

Appropriate Use: To stimulate or intensify a feeling or response.
Example: “The emerging market trends fueled the company’s strategic planning sessions.”

20. Trigger

Appropriate Use: To cause an event or situation to happen or exist.
Example: “An unexpected crisis triggered a major restructuring in the organization.”

Linda Brown