as in incentive
something that arouses action or activity
seeing a Broadway play for the first time was the stimulus for her career in the theater
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Recent Examples of stimulus
Muscular strength and power, endurance, and aerobic fitness naturally diminish over time unless the body is provided with the appropriate stimulus to continue to adapt and combat these changes, Malek said.
—
Mira Miller, Verywell Health, 9 June 2026
Libraries are not so great because of the way sound carries, coupled with visual stimuli.
—Sloane Crosley, New Yorker, 8 June 2026
The ability to disconnect intentionally from these overwhelming stimuli—to reclaim one’s focus, clarity, and feeling of immediacy—has become rare and precious.
—Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 3 June 2026
The method works without heat, UV light, or other external stimuli, which makes manufacturing easier.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for stimulus
Mira Miller, Verywell Health, 9 June 2026
Libraries are not so great because of the way sound carries, coupled with visual stimuli.
—Sloane Crosley, New Yorker, 8 June 2026
The ability to disconnect intentionally from these overwhelming stimuli—to reclaim one’s focus, clarity, and feeling of immediacy—has become rare and precious.
—Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 3 June 2026
The method works without heat, UV light, or other external stimuli, which makes manufacturing easier.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for stimulus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stimulus
Noun
-
Financial incentives offered by the conservation district, in conjunction with federal programs, have enticed farmers in the South Fork of the Republican River near Burlington to end irrigation on an additional 20,000 acres.—
Allen Best,
Denver Post,
14 June 2026
-
As firms scale, governance, incentives, and legacy practices shift focus from customer value and human flourishing.—
Steve Denning,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
The beloved 35-year-old Florida Ficus at the entrance is the impetus for the iconic logo.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
The impetus of Vanity Fair’s meeting with Nézet-Séguin was the Met’s new production of El Último Sueño de Frida y Diego, a recent work from US composer Gabriela Lena Frank (in her Met debut).—
Eve Batey,
Vanity Fair,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
Several students said Gilliam's encouragement made a lasting impression during the two-week camp.—
Alexa Liacko,
CBS News,
15 June 2026
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Even so, reports suggest that Lopez leaving the door open is all the encouragement Rodriguez needs.—
Allison DeGrushe,
StyleCaster,
15 June 2026
Noun
-
Walken brings his signature idiosyncratic charm to his portrayal of Frank, whose motivations make for a fascinating web of contradictions.—
Eric Farwell,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 June 2026
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While others close to the president see personal motivations at work, the White House is leaning into the diplomatic benefit.—
Shelby Talcott,
semafor.com,
12 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stimulus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stimulus. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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