stir up

To cause strong feelings, excitement, trouble, or disagreement.

• He likes to stir up trouble.
• The song stirred up memories of her childhood.
• Why are they stirring up fear about the new school?

How to use it: stir up something (The speech stirred up anger among local residents.); stir something up (Those photographs stirred it all up again.)

Similar words: arouse, provoke, cause

Opposites: calm

Common phrases: stir up trouble, stir up anger, stir up old memories

To disturb dust, mud, or similar material so that it rises into the air or water.

• The truck stirred up dust.
• Fish stirred up mud in the pond.
• The wind is stirring up sand along the beach.

How to use it: stir up something (Their feet stirred up mud from the bottom of the pond.)

Similar words: disturb, raise

Common phrases: stir up dust, stir up mud, stir up sediment

To mix food or liquid by moving a spoon or similar tool through it.

• Stir up the batter in this bowl.
• He stirred up a mixture of flour and water.
• Can you stir up the sauce while I chop the vegetables?

How to use it: stir up something (She stirred up the sauce with a wooden spoon.)

Similar words: stir, mix

Common phrases: stir up some batter, stir up a mixture