stimulating

adjective

stim·​u·​lat·​ing ˈstim-yə-ˌlā-tiŋ 

: producing stimulation: such as

a

: enjoyably exciting or interesting

a very stimulating experience/environment

a stimulating discussion

"There is nothing more stimulating than a case where everything goes against you."

—Arthur Conan Doyle

b

: acting as a stimulant : producing increased energy or alertness

When nicotine reaches the brain it mimics the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which has a stimulating effect.

—Laura Mansnerus

They gave strong narcotic or stimulating drugs indiscriminately …

—John Laffin

Synonyms of stimulating

• exciting
• breathtaking
• interesting
• thrilling
• intriguing
• inspiring

Examples of stimulating in a Sentence

enjoys the good food and stimulating conversation at his best friend's house

a brisk, stimulating walk on a bright, clear wintry day

an article containing a stimulating argument for raising, not lowering, the tax on gasoline

Recent Examples on the Web

His guiding goal was to develop and produce world premieres or plays that only had a few previous productions — laser-focused on intellectually and emotionally stimulating dramas, comedies and musicals. —Bill Hirschman, Sun Sentinel, 14 Apr. 2026

Enjoy reading or mentally stimulating puzzles. —Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 10 Apr. 2026

Engaging in mentally stimulating activities works neural pathways in the brain, while exercise improves blood flow to the brain and prompts muscles to contract, Hwang said. —Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC news, 8 Apr. 2026

Love is fun, witty and mentally stimulating now. —Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 6 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1645, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing stimulating

• colony-stimulating factor
• follicle-stimulating hormone
• hyper-stimulating
• melanocyte-stimulating hormone
• thyroid-stimulating hormone

Rhymes for stimulating

• abdicating
• abrogating
• activating
• actuating
• advocating
• aggravating
• aggregating
• agitating
• allocating
• alternating
• animating
• annotating