stimulate

stim·u·late | \ ˈstim-yə-ˌlāt

How to pronounce stimulate (audio)

\

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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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 Much rides on how well the vaccines stimulate the immune system and how durable that effect is. — Helen Branswell, STAT, "Here come the tortoises: In the race for a Covid-19 vaccine, slow starters could still win out," 24 Sep. 2020 And the rise in interest rates will stimulate investment for the same reason—businesses and home buyers will want to borrow now before rates rise. — Bruce Bartlett, The New Republic, "The Libertarian Ideas That Wrecked the Fed," 21 Sep. 2020 Many Cubans are now hoping the economic reforms will stimulate the private sector and allow independent business operators to kick-start the economy. — Frances Robles, New York Times, "Cuba’s Economy Was Hurting. The Pandemic Brought a Food Crisis.," 20 Sep. 2020 These photons stimulate your central nervous system and remind it how it was meant to communicate with the rest of your body. — Popular Science, "Take your at-home workout routine to the next level," 14 Sep. 2020 Such summer pruning doesn’t stimulate as much regrowth as winter pruning. — Sunset Magazine, "50+ Things to Do in Your Garden Now," 10 Sep. 2020 Difficult periods can also stimulate innovation and ingenuity. — Arthur C. Brooks, The Atlantic, "The Beautiful Discomfort of Being Betwixt and Between," 10 Sep. 2020 Heat from the flames can stimulate some fungi, like morel mushrooms, to release spores. — National Geographic, "What do wild animals do in wildfires?," 8 Sep. 2020 If the goal is to stimulate demand, there are more efficient ways to do it, Dr. Weber adds. — Laurent Belsie, The Christian Science Monitor, "Is the economy running fast or slow? It depends where you look.," 11 Sep. 2020

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.

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Last Updated

29 Sep 2020

Cite this Entry

“Stimulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stimulate. Accessed 30 Sep. 2020.

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More Definitions for stimulate

stimulate

verb

English Language Learners Definition of stimulate

: to make (something) more active : to cause or encourage (something) to happen or develop

: to make (a person) excited or interested in something

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

stimulate

stim·u·late | \ ˈsti-myə-ˌlāt

\

stimulated; stimulating

Kids Definition of stimulate

1 : to make active or more active : arouse The advertisements stimulated interest in the new product.

2 : to act on as a bodily stimulus or stimulant Caffeine stimulates the nervous system.

stimulate

transitive verb

stim·u·late | \ -ˌlāt

\

stimulated; stimulating

Medical Definition of stimulate

1 : to excite to activity or growth or to greater activity

2a : to function as a physiological stimulus to (as a nerve or muscle)

b : to arouse or affect by a stimulant (as a drug)

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