stirrer

/'stə:rə/

Thân thiện

A barista uses a wooden stirrer to mix sugar into a cup of coffee.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • An implement used for stirring: A tool, typically a rod or spoon, designed for mixing or agitating substances, especially liquids or mixtures in cooking or chemistry.
   • A person who spreads frightening rumors and stirs up trouble: An individual who deliberately causes unrest, agitation, or discord by spreading rumors or provocative information.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Implement):
  • She used a wooden stirrer to mix the paint thoroughly.
  • Please grab a stirrer for your coffee from the counter.
• Noun (Person):
  • He was known as a political stirrer, always inciting dissent at meetings.
  • The rumor was started by a notorious stirrer in the office.

Advanced Usage

• "Agent provocateur": This is a more formal or specific term for a person who is a stirrer, often one who infiltrates a group to incite illegal actions and get them in trouble.
  • The police suspected the new activist was an agent provocateur, a professional stirrer.
• "Pot-stirrer": An informal variant emphasizing someone who causes trouble, often for amusement.
  • Don't listen to him; he's just a pot-stirrer who enjoys creating drama.

Variants and Related Words

• Stir (verb): To mix a substance or to provoke or incite feelings or actions.
  • Stir the soup gently.
  • His speech was meant to stir the crowd.
• Stirring (adjective/noun): Causing strong emotion; the act of mixing.
  • A stirring speech.
  • The stirring of the ingredients is crucial.

Synonyms

• For the implement: Mixer, rod, paddle, swizzle stick.
• For the person: Agitator, instigator, troublemaker, rabble-rouser, mischief-maker.

Related Phrases

• "Stir up" (phrasal verb): To cause or provoke trouble, emotions, or activity.
  • He was accused of trying to stir up hatred.
  • The article stirred up a lot of controversy.

Related Idioms

• "Stir the pot": To cause trouble or controversy, especially by bringing up sensitive issues.
  • The journalist wasn't reporting the news; she was just stirring the pot.

Học thuật

Noun

1. an implement used for stirring
2. a person who spreads frightening rumors and stirs up trouble

Từ đồng nghĩa

• scaremonger