stir the conscience

USAGE SUMMARY

'stir the conscience' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to something that has a powerful emotional impact and causes a person to think deeply about their behavior or beliefs. For example: The moving speech successfully stirred the conscience of the audience.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

What else does it take to stir the conscience of the world?

The Guardian

Later, he said, "As we meet here, bombs are falling," and he spoke of the defenseless victims of our raids, his voice rising as he declared, "To me, that is a moral outrage that should stir the conscience of every American".

The New Yorker

There's always been a reading of the brothers that's had them marked as good Cockney Robin Hoods with hearts of gold, plus kisses and kind deeds for any East End mother with a knotty home life or enough tears to stir the conscience.

Vice

Perhaps the scandal of the priestly abuse of children and the even worse scandal that bishops, archbishops, cardinals and popes protected those criminal priests will so stir the conscience of the College of Cardinals -- or at least their prudential judgment, about the reputation of the Church -- that an unexpected choice will emerge.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

This is regrettable, for the report could have stirred the conscience of the nation.

The New York Times

You say the media failure stirred the conscience of generations of journalists, alerting them to barbarities in Rwanda and Bosnia.

The New York Times

Heartbreaking TV pictures of death and destruction must certainly have aroused consternation and stirred the conscience of every family from Cairo to Baghdad, and from Riyadh to Rabat.

The New York Times

And to this day the failure of America's media to fasten upon Hitler's mad atrocities stirs the conscience of succeeding generations of reporters and editors.

The New York Times

After the class finishes its investigation, students should discuss the following questions: And to this day the failure of America's media to fasten upon Hitler's mad atrocities stirs the conscience of succeeding generations of reporters and editors.

The New York Times

Tort-reform legislation may temporarily gratify Congress's need to solve all of America's problems but it will provide little change in health-care costs.Brad Wilks Wexford PennsylvaniaSIR - To keep corporations accountable, nothing stirs the conscience quite like hefty damages awarded.

The Economist

The four-part series "Product of Mexico" shook the international produce industry and stirred the conscience of thousands of readers.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "stir the conscience" to describe events, stories, or arguments that evoke a strong sense of moral responsibility in the audience.

Common error

Avoid using "stir the conscience" when the situation is not genuinely impactful or morally significant, as it can diminish the phrase's power and appear melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stir the conscience" functions as a verb phrase, typically used transitively to describe an action or event that prompts a strong moral or ethical response. Ludwig confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "stir the conscience" is a grammatically sound and moderately common expression used to describe the act of prompting someone's moral awareness or ethical consideration. Ludwig's AI validates its proper usage and indicates that it typically appears in news and media contexts. While versatile, it's best reserved for situations that genuinely carry moral weight. Related phrases include "prompt moral reflection" and "prick the conscience", each with slightly different nuances. Remember that overuse of this phrase in less significant situations might diminish its effect. By understanding its proper context and impact, you can effectively use "stir the conscience" to highlight ethical considerations and encourage meaningful reflection.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prompt moral reflection

Directly suggests causing thoughtful contemplation on moral issues.

prick the conscience

Implies a sharp, sudden feeling of guilt or unease.

spark righteous indignation

Highlights the generation of anger about perceived injustice.

awaken moral awareness

Focuses on initiating a sense of right and wrong.

challenge moral complacency

Implies confronting a state of indifference towards moral matters.

rouse moral sensibilities

Emphasizes heightened ethical perception.

shake moral foundations

Suggests a powerful questioning of established ethical principles.

ignite ethical consideration

Highlights the beginning of thoughtful examination.

inspire ethical action

Focuses on motivating morally guided behavior.

disturb moral equilibrium

Focuses on disrupting a sense of moral balance.

FAQs

How can I use "stir the conscience" in a sentence?

Use "stir the conscience" to describe something that evokes a strong moral response. For instance, "The documentary about animal cruelty /s/stirred+the+conscience of many viewers".

What's a good synonym for "stir the conscience"?

Alternatives include "prompt moral reflection" or "prick the conscience", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

What's the difference between "stir the conscience" and "shock the conscience"?

"Stir the conscience" implies a call to moral consideration, while "shock the conscience" describes something so outrageous it offends fundamental moral principles. The latter is often used in a legal context.

Is it always appropriate to use "stir the conscience" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, consider your audience. In highly formal contexts, phrases like "awaken moral awareness" might be more suitable, especially in academic or scientific papers.