as in incentive
something that arouses action or activity
seeing a Broadway play for the first time was the stimulus for her career in the theater
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Recent Examples of stimulus
Muscular strength and power, endurance, and aerobic fitness naturally diminish over time unless the body is provided with the appropriate stimulus to continue to adapt and combat these changes, Malek said.
—
Mira Miller, Verywell Health, 9 June 2026
Libraries are not so great because of the way sound carries, coupled with visual stimuli.
—Sloane Crosley, New Yorker, 8 June 2026
The ability to disconnect intentionally from these overwhelming stimuli—to reclaim one’s focus, clarity, and feeling of immediacy—has become rare and precious.
—Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 3 June 2026
The method works without heat, UV light, or other external stimuli, which makes manufacturing easier.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for stimulus
Mira Miller, Verywell Health, 9 June 2026
Libraries are not so great because of the way sound carries, coupled with visual stimuli.
—Sloane Crosley, New Yorker, 8 June 2026
The ability to disconnect intentionally from these overwhelming stimuli—to reclaim one’s focus, clarity, and feeling of immediacy—has become rare and precious.
—Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 3 June 2026
The method works without heat, UV light, or other external stimuli, which makes manufacturing easier.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for stimulus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stimulus
Noun
-
And given that such systems are physically possible, powerful economic and strategic incentives exist for technologists and entrepreneurs to build them.—
Rob Toews,
Forbes.com,
22 June 2026
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The money is an incentive granted by the city after working more than 20 years to attract a builder with a project appropriate for the property, which was cleared decades earlier for redevelopment.—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 June 2026
Noun
-
The Forest Service has cited cost savings as the impetus for a reorganization that will shutter dozens of research facilities.—
Alex Wigglesworth,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
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And the main impetus for that arboreal death was the state’s dwindling water supply.—
Catherina Gioino,
Fortune,
15 June 2026
Noun
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Several students said Gilliam's encouragement made a lasting impression during the two-week camp.—
Alexa Liacko,
CBS News,
15 June 2026
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Even so, reports suggest that Lopez leaving the door open is all the encouragement Rodriguez needs.—
Allison DeGrushe,
StyleCaster,
15 June 2026
Noun
-
Well, that gives me all the more motivation to bust right through that thing.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
19 June 2026
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This decline deprives teens of vital skill development, work experience, and motivation, fostering pessimism among Gen Z.—
Ryan Craig,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stimulus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stimulus. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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