stimulant

noun

stim·u·lant | \ ˈstim-yə-lənt

Definition of stimulant

1 : an agent (such as a drug) that produces a temporary increase of the functional activity or efficiency of an organism or any of its parts

2 : stimulus

3 : an alcoholic beverage —not used technically

Other Words from stimulant Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More About stimulant

Examples of stimulant in a Sentence

The movie was a stimulant to discussion. the relaxed zoning regulations should serve as a stimulant for development in the area

Recent Examples on the Web One 13-year-old rising eighth grader in Colorado currently takes the antidepressant Paxil and the stimulant Adderall. — New York Times, 9 July 2022 In 2017 state officials revoked a Derby Lane trainer’s license because five of his greyhounds tested positive for cocaine, a stimulant. — Craig Pittman, Animals, 1 Oct. 2020 Nicotine is an addictive central nervous system stimulant derived from the tobacco plant. — Erin Prater, Fortune, 11 June 2022 Caffeine is a stimulant that boosts the amount of cAMP in your body. — The Salt Lake Tribune, 25 May 2022 Adderall is a stimulant used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. — Chantal Da Silva, NBC News, 6 May 2022 The pleasures of a mild stimulant such as caffeine can be harmless or even beneficial, but the pleasures of amphetamines can be deadly. — Arthur C. Brooks, The Atlantic, 24 Mar. 2022 Restrict the Internet Overuse of smartphones and social media can be likened to overuse of alcohol, tobacco, gambling or any other highly addictive stimulant. — WSJ, 14 Dec. 2021 Her mix of psychotropic pills shifted, expanded: antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, an antidepressant, a benzodiazepine for anxiety, a stimulant for attention deficit. — New York Times, 17 May 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'stimulant.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.