stimulant

stim·u·lant | \ ˈstim-yə-lənt

How to pronounce stimulant (audio)

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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

3 : an alcoholic beverage —not used technically

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

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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 Those still habituated to sleep got by on milder stimulants. — Steven Cohen, The New Republic, "How Drugs Made American Warfare," 17 Apr. 2020 Within 2019, the number of stimulant prescriptions fluctuated quarter to quarter. — Sophie Carson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Wisconsin medical providers are prescribing opioids to fewer patients amid epidemic," 6 Feb. 2020 Between 2013 and 2018, nearly 592,000 payments totaling more than $20 million were made to physicians who prescribed stimulants, according to the analysis in JAMA Pediatrics, which reviewed a database run by the U.S. government. — Ed Silverman, STAT, "As prescribing for ADHD stimulants rose, so did industry payments to doctors," 21 Jan. 2020 Get Outside Sunlight is one of the best stimulants there is. — Nicole Clausing, Sunset Magazine, "Daylight Savings Self-Care Tips for When You’re Feeling More Tired Than Usual," 6 Mar. 2020 The list is made up entirely of stimulants commonly used to treat ADHD such as Adderall. — Coleman Hamstead, Washington Post, "‘Nobody talks about it because everyone is on it’: Adderall presents esports with an enigma," 13 Feb. 2020 Pregnant or breast-feeding women or kids under 18 shouldn’t take these supplements, because of the high level of stimulants, White adds. — Mallory Creveling, Health.com, "What Are Pre-Workout Supplements—and Should You Try Them?," 12 Dec. 2019 Pain pills like OxyContin, stimulants known as bath salts, prescription anti-anxiety medications like Xanax and, more recently, heroin and fentanyl were all adopted by drug users here before gaining wider use nationally. — Timothy Williams, New York Times, "In a Town Where Meth Is Eclipsing Opioids, Everyone Feels the Pain," 28 Mar. 2020 In 2018, nearly 12,700 people died from overdoses involving stimulants with addiction potential, which includes methamphetamine, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. — Alexei Koseff, SFChronicle.com, "California bill would fund rewards for meth addicts who stop using drugs," 26 Feb. 2020

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.

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Last Updated

15 May 2020

Cite this Entry

“Stimulant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stimulant. Accessed 25 May. 2020.

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More Definitions for stimulant

stimulant

noun

English Language Learners Definition of stimulant

: something (such as a drug) that makes you more active or gives you more energy

: something that causes more activity

See the full definition for stimulant in the English Language Learners Dictionary

stimulant

stim·u·lant | \ ˈsti-myə-lənt

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Kids Definition of stimulant

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : something (as a drug) that makes the body or one of its parts temporarily more active a heart stimulant

2 : stimulus sense 1

stimulant

Kids Definition of stimulant (Entry 2 of 2)

: stimulating or tending to stimulate

stimulant

stim·u·lant | \ ˈstim-yə-lənt

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Medical Definition of stimulant

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

2 : stimulus sense 2

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