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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stimulus
Our amygdala is overactive, our nervous systems are fried and our dopamine cycles are hijacked by short-term stimuli.
—
Chris Schembra, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2025
Chinese shares had recently rallied to a multi-year high on expectations of government stimulus and a recent inflow of foreign capital into Chinese equities.
—Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2025
Soon after her election, the yen hit a new low amid expectations of major fiscal stimulus.
—Hanako Montgomery, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2025
Surveying 453 dog owners, scientists found that canines’ responses were strongly influenced by the type of stimuli—such as animals or objects—and their watching behavior, whether following the action or remaining still.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stimulus
Chris Schembra, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2025
Chinese shares had recently rallied to a multi-year high on expectations of government stimulus and a recent inflow of foreign capital into Chinese equities.
—Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2025
Soon after her election, the yen hit a new low amid expectations of major fiscal stimulus.
—Hanako Montgomery, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2025
Surveying 453 dog owners, scientists found that canines’ responses were strongly influenced by the type of stimuli—such as animals or objects—and their watching behavior, whether following the action or remaining still.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stimulus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stimulus
Noun
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Feeling some heat from next door, New York sweetened its incentive package in its latest budget earlier this year.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
28 Oct. 2025
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This geopolitical calculus is complicated by immediate economic incentives.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Stamford and Columbia University have committed to research using The Pippins as the impetus, according to Chris Norton.—
Rosemary Feitelberg,
Footwear News,
24 Oct. 2025
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Part of the impetus for all these openings is the same reason Las Vegas is so primed for these restaurants in the first place.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
19 Oct. 2025
Noun
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With encouragement from her family, Zarna hit the New York comedy scene in 2019, performing at open mics and the Westside Comedy Club.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
1 Nov. 2025
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But not mere notes of encouragement.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Spontaneity delivered 24 frames per second will be prioritized over preparation and motivation.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
31 Oct. 2025
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Duncan’s announcement caused some of his former political allies to question his motivations.—
Taylor Millard,
The Washington Examiner,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stimulus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stimulus. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
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