Awaken vs. Stir — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 7, 2024
"Awaken" refers to the transition from sleep to wakefulness, focusing on consciousness, while "stir" often implies a gentle or slight movement, not necessarily involving waking up.
Difference Between Awaken and Stir
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Key Differences
"Awaken" typically means to emerge or cause someone to emerge from sleep, signaling a complete shift in state from sleeping to being fully alert. Whereas "stir" can also relate to waking but usually suggests a minor, often physical movement as one begins to wake.
The use of "awaken" is often more deliberate, involving a conscious awareness or an activation of something dormant. On the other hand, "stir" is used more broadly to indicate any small movement, whether it's stirring from sleep or stirring a liquid.
In literature, "awaken" might be used metaphorically to describe a realization or coming into knowledge, giving it a profound, sometimes spiritual connotation. Whereas, "stir" might simply refer to the beginning of activity or emotion, such as stirring interest or excitement.
When discussing events or catalysts, "awaken" implies a stronger, more complete transformation. For example, an event can awaken public interest or consciousness. In contrast, "stir" might indicate a lesser degree of impact, like a news article that stirs conversation.
In terms of usage, "awaken" tends to appear in contexts that emphasize significant changes or awakenings, while "stir" is more versatile, fitting into both significant and trivial contexts, such as stirring a drink or stirring emotions slightly.
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Comparison Chart
Primary Meaning
To wake from sleep
To move slightly or to initiate movement
Connotation
Often profound or complete
Generally mild or minimal
Usage in Speech
More formal and specific
Casual and diverse
Metaphorical Use
Spiritual or deep realization
Minor initiation or agitation
Example Context
Waking someone from deep sleep
Stirring a cup of coffee or a slight movement in sleep
Compare with Definitions
Awaken
To come into awareness, realization, or attention.
The speech awakened a sense of pride among the listeners.
Stir
To mix a substance by moving a tool through it.
Stir the soup until it thickens.
Awaken
To stimulate a feeling or action.
The novel awakens the reader's curiosity.
Stir
To provoke a reaction or emotion.
The movie stirred deep emotions in its audience.
Awaken
To revive something dormant.
The project aimed to awaken interest in ancient art forms.
Stir
To move slightly.
She stirred in her sleep when she heard the noise.
Awaken
To become active or alive.
Springtime is when nature awakens.
Stir
To cause or initiate movement or change.
The speech stirred the crowd into action.
Awaken
To stop sleeping or to make someone stop sleeping.
The loud noise awakened her at dawn.
Stir
To begin to show signs of activity.
The market began to stir just before dawn.
Awaken
Rouse from sleep; cause to stop sleeping
Anna was awakened by the telephone
Stir
Move a spoon or other implement round in (a liquid or other substance) in order to mix it thoroughly
Pour in the cream and stir well
Desmond stirred his tea and ate a biscuit
Awaken
To wake up
I awakened at 6:00 AM.
Stir
Move or cause to move slightly
Nothing stirred except the wind
A gentle breeze stirred the leaves
Cloudiness is caused by the fish stirring up mud
Awaken
To become aware of something
He finally awakened to the fact that he was wrong.
Stir
Arouse strong feeling in (someone); move or excite
He stirred up the sweating crowd
They will be stirred to action by what is written
Awaken
To cause to wake up
A barking dog awakened me during the night.
Stir
A slight physical movement
I stood, straining eyes and ears for the faintest stir
Awaken
To cause (someone) to become aware; alert or enlighten
The news awakened her to the truth.
Stir
A commotion
The event caused quite a stir
Awaken
To stir up or produce (a memory or feeling, for example)
Her new job awakened in her a sense of responsibility. See Usage Note at wake1.
Stir
An act of stirring food or drink
He gives his Ovaltine a stir
Awaken
(transitive) To cause to become awake.
She awakened him by ringing the bell.
Stir
Prison
I've spent twenty-eight years in stir
Awaken
(intransitive) To stop sleeping; awake.
Each morning he awakens with a smile on his face.
Stir
To pass an implement through (a liquid, for example), usually in circular motions, so as to mix or cool the contents
Stirred the soup before tasting it.
Awaken
To bring into action (something previously dormant); to stimulate.
Awaken your entrepreneurial spirit!
We hope to awaken your interest in our programme.
Stir
To use an implement to move or rearrange the fuel in (a fire) to increase light or heat.
Awaken
(theology) To call to a sense of sin.
Stir
To add or mix in (an ingredient, for example) into a liquid or mixture by moving an implement
Stirred a cup of sugar into the cake batter.
Awaken
(rare) awake
Stir
To mix together the ingredients of (a liquid, for example) before cooking or use by moving an implement
Stirred up some popover batter.
Stirred the paint.
Awaken
To cause to become aware.
Stir
To move or pass (an implement) through a liquid in order to mix or cool the contents
Stirred her spoon in her coffee.
Awaken
To become aware.
I suddenly awoke to the possibilities of the new invention.
Stir
To cause to move or shift, especially slightly or with irregular motion
A breeze stirred the branches.
Awaken
To rouse from sleep or torpor; to awake; to wake.
[He] is dispatchedAlready to awaken whom thou nam'st.
Their consciences are thoroughly awakened.
Stir
To cause to become active; bestir
Stirred themselves to fix breakfast.
Awaken
Cause to become awake or conscious;
He was roused by the drunken men in the street
Please wake me at 6 AM.
Stir
To excite strong feelings in or rouse, as from indifference
The speaker stirred us to volunteer at the homeless shelter.
Awaken
Stop sleeping;
She woke up to the sound of the alarm clock
Stir
To provoke deliberately; incite. Often used with up
Stir up trouble.
Awaken
Make aware;
They were awakened to the sad facts
Stir
To change position slightly
The leaves were stirring in the breeze.
Stir
To start to move, especially in rising from sleep
The house was quiet, as no one had stirred yet.
Stir
To move about actively or busily
People were stirring about the office.
Stir
To move away from a customary or usual place or position
Instructed the guards not to stir from their posts.
Stir
To stir or mix a liquid or mixture
Stood at the counter stirring.
Stir
To be capable of being stirred
A mixture that stirs easily.
Stir
To happen or begin
When the civil rights movement first stirred.
Stir
To be roused or affected by strong feelings
"His wrath so stirred within him, that he could have struck him dead" (Charles Dickens).
Stir
A stirring, mixing, or poking movement
Gave the fire a stir.
Stir
A slight movement
Slept soundly and barely made a stir.
Stir
An excited reaction or commotion
The news caused quite a stir in our family.
Stir
Prison.
Stir
(transitive) To disturb the relative position of the particles of (a liquid or similar) by passing an object through it.
She stirred the pudding with a spoon.
He stirred his coffee so the sugar wouldn't stay at the bottom.
Stir
(transitive) To disturb the content of (a container) by passing an object through it.
Would you please stir this pot so that the chocolate doesn't burn?
Stir
(transitive) To incite to action.
Stir
(transitive) To bring into debate; to agitate.
Stir
To disturb, to disrupt.
Stir
To change the place of in any manner; to move.
Stir
(intransitive) To begin to move, especially gently, from a still or unmoving position.
Stir
(intransitive) Of a feeling or emotion: to rise, begin to be felt.
Stir
(intransitive) To be in motion; to be active or bustling; to exert or busy oneself.
Stir
(intransitive) To rise from sleep or unconsciousness.
Stir
The act or result of stirring (moving around the particles of a liquid etc.)
Can you give the soup a little stir?
Stir
Agitation; tumult; bustle; noise or various movements.
Stir
Public disturbance or commotion; tumultuous disorder; seditious uproar.
Stir
Agitation of thoughts; conflicting passions.
Stir
(slang) Jail; prison.
He's going to be spending maybe ten years in stir.
Stir
To change the place of in any manner; to move.
My foot I had never yet in five days been able to stir.
Stir
To disturb the relative position of the particles of, as of a liquid, by passing something through it; to agitate; as, to stir a pudding with a spoon.
My mind is troubled, like a fountain stirred.
Stir
To bring into debate; to agitate; to moot.
Stir not questions of jurisdiction.
Stir
To incite to action; to arouse; to instigate; to prompt; to excite.
An Ate, stirring him to blood and strife.
And for her sake some mutiny will stir.
Stir
To move; to change one's position.
I had not power to stir or strive,But felt that I was still alive.
Stir
To be in motion; to be active or bustling; to exert or busy one's self.
All are not fit with them to stir and toil.
The friends of the unfortunate exile, far from resenting his unjust suspicions, were stirring anxiously in his behalf.
Stir
To become the object of notice; to be on foot.
They fancy they have a right to talk freely upon everything that stirs or appears.
Stir
To rise, or be up, in the morning.
Stir
The act or result of stirring; agitation; tumult; bustle; noise or various movements.
Why all these words, this clamor, and this stir?
Consider, after so much stir about genus and species, how few words we have yet settled definitions of.
Stir
Public disturbance or commotion; tumultuous disorder; seditious uproar.
Being advertised of some stirs raised by his unnatural sons in England.
Stir
Agitation of thoughts; conflicting passions.
Stir
A disorderly outburst or tumult;
They were amazed by the furious disturbance they had caused
Stir
Emotional agitation and excitement
Stir
A rapid bustling commotion
Stir
Move an implement through with a circular motion;
Stir the soup
Stir my drink
Stir
Move very slightly;
He shifted in his seat
Stir
Stir feelings in;
Stimulate my appetite
Excite the audience
Stir emotions
Stir
Stir the feelings, emotions, or peace of;
These stories shook the community
The civil war shook the country
Stir
Affect emotionally;
A stirring movie
I was touched by your kind letter of sympathy
Stir
Evoke or call forth, with or as if by magic;
Raise the specter of unemployment
He conjured wild birds in the air
Stir a disturbance
Call down the spirits from the mountain
Stir
To begin moving,
As the thunder started the sleeping children began to stir
Stir
Mix or add by stirring;
Stir nuts into the dough
Common Curiosities
What does "awaken" imply in psychological terms?
In psychology, "awaken" can refer to becoming aware of one’s inner thoughts or feelings, often used in the context of therapy or personal growth.
When is "stir" used in a non-literal sense?
"Stir" is used non-literally to describe initiating or causing slight changes or reactions, like stirring interest or controversy.
What is the noun form of "stir"?
The noun form is also "stir," which can mean a physical stir, a commotion, or a slight beginning of movement or emotion.
Can "awaken" refer to a physical movement?
While primarily about the transition from sleep to wakefulness or metaphorical awakenings, "awaken" is not typically used to describe physical movement.
How do the past tenses of "awaken" and "stir" differ in use?
The past tense of "awaken" (awakened) often describes a completed action of becoming alert or aware, whereas "stirred" might describe past movement or emotional effects.
Can "awaken" and "stir" be used interchangeably in any context?
Due to their distinct meanings, they are not generally interchangeable; "awaken" is about becoming alert, and "stir" about moving or beginning something gently.
What synonyms are commonly used for "awaken"?
Synonyms include "rouse," "wake," "arouse," and "revive."
What synonyms are commonly used for "stir"?
Common synonyms are "agitate," "move," "shake," and "disturb."
Are there any common phrases or idioms that include "awaken"?
A common phrase is "awaken to the truth," implying a realization or coming to understand something clearly.
Is "stir" appropriate to use in formal writing?
Yes, "stir" can be used in formal writing, though its usage depends on the context and the tone of the piece.
What is the noun form of "awaken"?
The noun form is "awakening," referring to the act or process of becoming awake or aware.
What effect does "awaken" have in literary contexts?
In literature, "awaken" often marks a character’s significant transformation or realization, playing a pivotal role in character development.
In what artistic contexts might "awaken" be preferred over "stir"?
"Awaken" is preferred in contexts involving profound revelations or dramatic changes in perception, often seen in film, literature, and visual arts to signify deep transformations.
Are there any common phrases or idioms that include "stir"?
Yes, phrases like "stir up trouble" or "stir the pot" imply causing or initiating unrest or controversy.
How does "stir" function in narrative storytelling?
In narratives, "stir" can be used to describe subtle actions or changes that hint at larger upcoming movements or shifts in the plot.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
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Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
