bestir

[ bih-stur ]

verb (used with object)

, be·stirred, be·stir·ring.

1. to stir up; rouse to action (often used reflexively):

   She bestirred herself at the first light of morning.

bestir

/ bɪˈstɜː /

verb

1. tr to cause (oneself, or, rarely, another person) to become active; rouse

Word History and Origins

Origin of bestir¹

before 900; Middle English bistiren, Old English bestyrian to heap up. See be-, stir ¹

Example Sentences

More wakeful than he’d been, he realized that winter had become less cold, and he bestirred himself to be up and around.

From Literature

If they bestirred themselves to ask “how is he right?” those questions and his answers didn’t make it into the broadcast.

From Los Angeles Times

If the United States needs workers and desperate people in flight want to work, as Mr. Thiessen correctly argued, then Congress should bestir itself and reform the legal immigration system.

From Washington Post

Travel across the plains of western Minnesota and you’ll find plenty of people who are bestirred by a new and often dark vision of America.

From Seattle Times

So, forgive me if the sudden rush on vasectomy clinics fails to bestir my gratitude.

From Washington Post

Related Words

• agitate
• arouse
• awaken
• disturb
• fire up
• galvanize
• heighten
• incite
• inflame
• kindle
• provoke
• rile
• startle
• stir
• trigger
• wake up
• whip up
• work up