The phrase "stir up sympathy" refers to the act of evoking compassion or empathy in others. There are numerous synonyms for this phrase that can be used to convey a similar message. Some of these include "arouse sympathy," "evoke pity," "elicit compassion," "garner empathy," and "generate support." Each of these variations emphasizes the need to generate an emotional response from those around us, whether it be in order to advocate for a cause, highlight an issue, or simply garner understanding. Regardless of which synonym is used, the goal of stirring up sympathy is to bring people together and inspire them to take action.