stimulate

verb

stim·u·late | \ ˈstim-yə-ˌlāt

stimulated; stimulating

Definition of stimulate

transitive verb

1 : to excite to activity or growth or to greater activity : animate, arouse

2a : 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

Other Words from stimulate Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More about stimulate

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Other Words from stimulate

stimulation \ ˌstim-yə-ˈlā-shən

\ noun

stimulative \ ˈstim-yə-ˌlā-tiv

\ adjective

stimulator \ ˈstim-yə-ˌlā-tər

\ noun

stimulatory \ ˈstim-yə-lə-ˌtȯr-ē

\ 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

Take it too far and and this stimulating ray can lead to aggression. — Steff Yotka, Vogue, "Will Blue Make You Psychic? Can Yellow Detox Your Mind? A Color Therapist Weighs in on Fall 2019’s Color Trends," 4 Apr. 2019 Specifically, bright light exposure early in the day stimulates serotonin production, improving your mood and happiness, and regulates melatonin in the evening, improving your sleep. — Lynn Kim, House Beautiful, "This Little Light Could Make You Feel Happier," 26 Mar. 2019 But while investment did accelerate last year, the Penn Wharton Budget Model, an academic group, attributes all of that acceleration to a surge in oil prices which stimulated more drilling and extraction of shale oil. — Greg Ip, WSJ, "The Global Boom, Barely Begun, May Be Over," 23 Jan. 2019 For the new study in the journal Cell Chemical Biology, researcher Marcos Pires of Lehigh University and his colleagues combined an existing antibiotic with a protein which stimulates the immune system to attack. — Jason Daley, Smithsonian, "New “Immunobiotic” Could Treat Antibiotic-Resistant Superbugs," 6 July 2018 As more and more watch companies introduced new models, prices fell below $100, stimulating even more demand. — Bloomberg.com, "Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu Meets With President Trump," 27 Feb. 2018 These pulses bypass the individual’s damaged photoreceptors and stimulate the retina's remaining cells, which then transmit the visual information along the optic nerve to the brain, creating the perception of patterns of light. — Caren Chesler, Popular Mechanics, "A Vision Quest," 6 Mar. 2019 After getting the all-clear from the psychiatrist, my doctor put me on a regimen of fertility drugs that essentially helped to stimulate ovulation and support and maintain an early pregnancy. — Kate Willsky, SELF, "What It’s Like to Deal With Anorexia While You’re Pregnant," 8 Feb. 2019 The Fed payments to Treasury, called remittances, hit a record high in 2015 due to swelling interest income from its huge holdings of bonds purchased to help stimulate the economy after the financial crisis. — Kate Davidson, WSJ, "Fed Sent Lower Remittances to U.S. Treasury in 2018," 10 Jan. 2019

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