What does stirringly mean?
Stirringly is an adverb describing something that arouses powerful emotion or deeply moves the people who experience it. It is especially appropriate for speeches, stories, performances, images, and other works that inspire admiration, sympathy, courage, or enthusiasm. The word commonly appears in expressions such as “stirringly moving,” where it emphasizes the emotional force of an experience or presentation. Its use is literary and somewhat heightened rather than everyday, so a simpler phrase such as “deeply moving” may be preferable in neutral contexts. In formal writing, stirringly can also suggest something emotionally stirring in a broader sense, such as a speech that awakens a sense of duty or inspires action. The word is related to “stir,” in the sense of rousing feeling or interest, and to the adjective “stirring,” which means moving or emotionally powerful.
adverbIn a way that arouses strong emotion or moves an audience deeply. It is especially used of speeches, performances, stories, and other works that inspire enthusiasm or compassion.
- In a way that arouses strong emotion, especially admiration, sympathy, or enthusiasm.
"The account of the volunteers' courage was stirringly moving."
"She gave a stirringly moving account of the rescue."
"The speech was stirringly emotional without being sentimental."
A stirringly moving performance does more than entertain: it leaves the audience feeling awakened, moved, or newly committed.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does stirringly come from?
Stirringly is a 19th-century formation from “stirring,” an adjective meaning emotionally moving or arousing, combined with the adverbial suffix “-ly.” “Stirring” itself derives from “stir,” which comes from Old English and originally referred to movement or agitation. The modern sense of rousing strong emotion developed through the idea of stirring people's feelings.
Related word forms
How stirringly is actually used
This is a literary and relatively uncommon word. It is often used with words such as “moving,” “emotional,” or “beautiful,” and can sound more heightened or expressive than the simpler phrase “deeply moving.”