stimulate

verb

stim·​u·​late ˈstim-yə-ˌlāt How to pronounce stimulate (audio)
stimulated; stimulating

transitive verb

1
: to excite to activity or growth or to greater activity : animate, arouse
2
a
: to function as a physiological stimulus to
b
: to arouse or affect by a stimulant (such as a drug)

intransitive verb

: to act as a stimulant or stimulus
stimulation noun
stimulative adjective
stimulator noun
stimulatory adjective
Choose the Right Synonym for stimulate

provoke, excite, stimulate, pique, quicken mean to arouse as if by pricking.

provoke directs attention to the response called forth.

my stories usually provoke laughter

excite implies a stirring up or moving profoundly.

news that excited anger and frustration

stimulate suggests a rousing out of lethargy, quiescence, or indifference.

stimulating conversation

pique suggests stimulating by mild irritation or challenge.

that remark piqued my interest

quicken implies beneficially stimulating and making active or lively.

the high salary quickened her desire to have the job

Examples of stimulate in a Sentence

A raise in employee wages might stimulate production. The economy was not stimulated by the tax cuts. a hormone that stimulates the growth of muscle tissue Their discussion stimulated him to research the subject more. He was stimulated by their discussion.
Recent Examples on the Web One study found chamomile capsules can stimulate contractions in post-term pregnancy. Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 15 Mar. 2024 Lynn Reaser, economist YES: The 2017 tax cuts did stimulate investment but fell widely short of financing themselves. Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2024 Annual removal of a few of the oldest branches (by cutting them to the ground) stimulates new shoot formation in spring and opens up the center of the plant to allow more light to get to those new shoots. Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 15 Mar. 2024 Microbiome metabolites stimulate the release of a natural version of weight loss drugs Wegovy and Ozempic, the gut hormone GLP-1. Christopher Damman, The Conversation, 12 Mar. 2024 Why the Fed can’t do enough Mortgage rates fell dramatically in the early days of the pandemic when the Fed slashed rates to stimulate a battered economy. Bryan Mena, CNN, 8 Mar. 2024 Many business leaders have been pleased by the city’s economic rebound, and the mayor’s focus on public safety and stimulating the city’s economy, even as concerns over the commercial real estate industry persist. Jeffery C. Mays, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2024 Other devices are slightly larger and pebble-shaped to stimulate more surface area at once. Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 3 Mar. 2024 Find personalized incentives to stimulate potential purchases. Paul Ross, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'stimulate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin stimulatus, past participle of stimulare, from stimulus goad; perhaps akin to Latin stilus stem, stylus — more at style

First Known Use

1566, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of stimulate was in 1566

Dictionary Entries Near stimulate

Cite this Entry

“Stimulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stimulate. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

stimulate

verb
stim·​u·​late ˈstim-yə-ˌlāt How to pronounce stimulate (audio)
stimulated; stimulating
1
: to make active or more active : animate, arouse
stimulate industry
2
: to act on as a bodily stimulus or stimulant

Medical Definition

stimulate

transitive verb
stim·​u·​late -ˌlāt How to pronounce stimulate (audio)
stimulated; stimulating
1
: to excite to activity or growth or to greater activity
2
a
: to function as a physiological stimulus to (as a nerve or muscle)
b
: to arouse or affect by a stimulant (as a drug)
stimulative adjective
stimulatory adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on stimulate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!