1
as in to arouse
to give life, vigor, or spirit to
research into alternative energy sources has been stimulated by this funding increase
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to provoke
to rouse to strong feeling or action
the government crackdown has only stimulated the citizenry to more acts of violence
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of stimulate
Looking for stimulating yet inexpensive things to do with your family in September?
—
Jim Higgins, jsonline.com, 23 Aug. 2025
Don't prune evergreens in fall, which can stimulate the shrubs to produce tender, new growth too late in the year.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 20 Aug. 2025
McIlhenny did, after all, claim credit for the deed, having bought twenty nutrias in the late Thirties in a bid to stimulate the local fur trade.
—Nathaniel Rich, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
Typically, a sluggish economy leads to low inflation, allowing the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates to stimulate more borrowing and activity.
—Paul Davidson, USA Today, 16 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stimulate
Jim Higgins, jsonline.com, 23 Aug. 2025
Don't prune evergreens in fall, which can stimulate the shrubs to produce tender, new growth too late in the year.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 20 Aug. 2025
McIlhenny did, after all, claim credit for the deed, having bought twenty nutrias in the late Thirties in a bid to stimulate the local fur trade.
—Nathaniel Rich, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
Typically, a sluggish economy leads to low inflation, allowing the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates to stimulate more borrowing and activity.
—Paul Davidson, USA Today, 16 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stimulate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stimulate
Verb
-
With Mars high in your chart, your ambition is aroused.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
11 Aug. 2025
-
Once the deed is done, the robbers need to find someone to smelt the gold (or do it themselves, a difficult and time-intensive process), and then find someone else to buy it from them, all without arousing suspicion.—
Air Mail,
Air Mail,
2 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The defense also claimed that the two men Kemp shot at provoked the shooting by stealing Kemp’s truck, his cellphone and memorabilia in Seattle.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
24 Aug. 2025
-
The work had been set to appear in Sherald’s solo exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery; on learning that the museum wished to remove the painting from the show to avoid provoking Trump, the artist canceled the exhibition.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The Italian bank has since converted this into a 26% equity shareholding in Commerzbank and has secured the European Central Bank's blessing to hold up to 29.9% — stirring speculation over plans for a potential takeover, which Commerzbank and the Berlin administration have resisted.—
Ruxandra Iordache,
CNBC,
29 Aug. 2025
-
The approach has even stirred infighting within the GOP, as grassroots Republicans clash with state leaders aligned with powerful business interests.—
Josh Salman,
Miami Herald,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Mark Armstrong: Traveling to a stunningly remote location encourages you to look inward.—
Jim Clash,
Forbes.com,
30 Aug. 2025
-
Nikola’s children leave the country to find work in Germany — this new rural-to-urban migration encourages emigration outright.—
Christian Blauvelt,
IndieWire,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
At the same time, Beverage Director Caterina Mirabelli is energized by new varietals and emerging styles.—
Chelsea Davis,
Forbes.com,
21 Aug. 2025
-
For months, Tucker demonstrated his skills as a five-tool player and energized teammates with his easy confidence, living up to all the hype.—
Patrick Mooney,
New York Times,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
There’s a sense of ambiguity over whether Ann Lee was divinely inspired or an opportunistic cult leader.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
31 Aug. 2025
-
Leaders who share their challenges inspire trust, accelerate team recovery from setbacks and create the foundation of psychological safety needed for sustained success even under intense pressure.—
Dilan Gomih,
Forbes.com,
31 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Some of the events allow the audience a chance to participate, but the whole festival is designed to invigorating and inviting and progressive, enhanced by most of it taking place outdoors in Summertime.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
10 Aug. 2025
-
Reading his experience of these raptures is invigorating and often hilarious.—
Book Marks
August 1,
Literary Hub,
1 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Spirit Halloween, the ephemeral seasonal retailer that haunts vacant stores nationally each year, will enliven the darkened voids of six suburban Milwaukee stores in September and October.—
Jim Riccioli,
jsonline.com,
9 Aug. 2025
-
The idea itself is a science fiction trope in its own right, enlivened by idiosyncratic details and a host of strong performances.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
5 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stimulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stimulate. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share