1
as in exciting
causing great emotional or mental stimulation
enjoys the good food and stimulating conversation at his best friend's house
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in refreshing
having a renewing effect on the state of the body or mind
a brisk, stimulating walk on a bright, clear wintry day
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in provocative
serving or likely to arouse a strong reaction
an article containing a stimulating argument for raising, not lowering, the tax on gasoline
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in arousing
to give life, vigor, or spirit to
research into alternative energy sources has been stimulated by this funding increase
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in provoking
to rouse to strong feeling or action
the government crackdown has only stimulated the citizenry to more acts of violence
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stimulating
Akshay Syal, NBC news, 9 Feb. 2026
Gates has assembled a stimulating, illuminating, maddening, saddening, but often inspiring, story of their relations with the world and one another.
—Robert Lloyd, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2026
Jenny Berg, Vogue, 31 Mar. 2026
Activities like using a computer to solve a puzzle were considered intellectually stimulating.
—Kaan Ozcan, NBC news, 29 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stimulating
Adjective
Isaacson sometimes recommends his patients even try a cognitively stimulating activity while exercising, such as taking a meeting while walking or doing cognitive training on a stationary bike.
—Akshay Syal, NBC news, 9 Feb. 2026
Gates has assembled a stimulating, illuminating, maddening, saddening, but often inspiring, story of their relations with the world and one another.
—Robert Lloyd, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2026
Verb
Alcalde explains that red light at 650nm works closer to the surface, stimulating collagen production and supporting skin repair; over time, this translates to improvements in firmness, tone, and radiance.
—Jenny Berg, Vogue, 31 Mar. 2026
Activities like using a computer to solve a puzzle were considered intellectually stimulating.
—Kaan Ozcan, NBC news, 29 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stimulating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stimulating
Adjective
-
Everyday outings, like going to the grocery store, are exciting adventures for him.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
-
In an interview with STAT, Nedergaard, who is also affiliated with the University of Copenhagen, explained some of the exciting implications of her research, including its possible application for better tools to screen for — and combat — neurological conditions like Alzheimer’s.—
Amanda Erickson,
STAT,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Set the scene Soaring at 1,000 feet above sea level on the St James hills, just a 10-minute drive from the heat and bustle of the west coast’s towns and beaches, Apes Hill offers a refreshing breeze and views of both the Caribbean and Atlantic.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The mint julep is simple, refreshing, and perfect for bourbon cocktail lovers.—
Shilpa Uskokovic,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The widespread reach of social media has brought videos of war zones and the voices of people living through wars to global audiences, but often provocative images and videos that lack context can spread and be reshared in ways that further strip away context and nuance.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Apr. 2026
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Reportedly shunned by festivals like Sundance and SXSW last year and ignored by distributors, this provocative chamber drama finally gets a theatrical release from a fledgling shingle, Obscured Releasing, this spring.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
No clear catalyst One reason the surge in oil futures trading is arousing suspicion is that no market-moving announcements were slated for Monday morning, such as government economic releases or speeches from Federal Reserve officials.—
Aimee Picchi,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
-
To avoid arousing suspicion, the mission was primarily carried out by ground forces with limited air support from helicopters, Trevilla said.—
Gonzalo Zegarra,
CNN Money,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Christopher Nolan has cemented his status as one of our most consistently original and thought-provoking directors.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
6 Apr. 2026
-
In essence, Bright Lights, Big City, instead of being emotionally provoking and riveting, is distressingly gray and tedious, enlivened only by Fox’s gifted histrionics.—
Duane Byrge,
HollywoodReporter,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
There is, however, a fitness center equipped with cardio machines, free weights, and resistance training, as well as an outdoor yoga platform with breathtaking vantage points and complimentary classes offered Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays during sunrise.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Apr. 2026
-
The story of the shoot, at the real-life club, in midtown Manhattan, is a breathtaking adventure.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
At a charged political moment, her relatively sober look seemed intended to keep the focus on POTUS.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
12 Dec. 2025
-
What Happens Next Greene is likely to continue stoking controversy by breaking with her party, as conversations around immigration remain charged and divisive.—
Alia Shoaib,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Then, the spotlight shifts onto your ambitions, with Mars entering Aries on April 9, energizing your 10th house of boss moves and reputation, followed by a new moon that sets the stage for a fresh start in your career.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
1 Apr. 2026
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Entering a key recruiting time, his return figures to have the impact of both stabilizing and energizing the program that has sagged in its last four NCAA Tournaments since winning the 2022 national title.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stimulating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stimulating. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
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