stimulant 1 of 2

noun

ˈstim-yə-lənt How to pronounce stimulant (audio)
Definition of stimulantnext
1
as in incentive
something that arouses action or activity the relaxed zoning regulations should serve as a stimulant for development in the area

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in alcohol
a distilled beverage that can make a person drunk I always take a bottle of stimulant along on trips, for emergencies like plane crashes or earthquakes

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

stimulant

2 of 2

adjective

as in stimulating

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of stimulant
Noun
The former campaign manager gave law enforcement a nylon glove containing powder cocaine and a 20-milligram tablet of Adderall, a prescription stimulant that contains amphetamines. — Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2026 These prescription stimulants can sharpen focus by prompting the brain to release more neurotransmitters such as dopamine and norepinephrine, which play an important role in the body’s fight-or-flight response. — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026
Adjective
Black market Yaba is a street name for pills containing methamphetamine, a powerful, highly addictive stimulant. — Chas Newkey-Burden, TheWeek, 18 Aug. 2026 For example, responses to ADHD may include offering stimulant medications to help with focus and also removing distractions. — Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stimulant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stimulant
  1. incentive
  2. alcohol
  3. stimulating
  4. stimulus
  5. liquor
  6. energizing
  7. impetus
  8. drink
Noun
  • The Port Authority of Kansas City approved incentives for the development earlier this year.
    — Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Iowa lawmakers will return to the Statehouse Friday to consider expanding the ceiling on state tax incentives in an effort to secure a $15 billion steel plant project for the state.
    — Hannah Fingerhut, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of incentive
Noun
  • The singer said that he was first admitted to a Swiss hospital in connection with his alcohol use in November 2023.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2026
  • But now Oktoberfest is a proving ground for one of the most profound changes sweeping the global drinks industry as more consumers cut alcohol from their lives.
    — Erik Kirschbaum, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of alcohol
Adjective
  • These adaptogenics also cost as much, if not more, than alcoholic spirits, such as Three Spirit, which incorporates ingredients such as guayusa (stimulating effects), damiana (aphrodisiac effects) and valerian (stress-relieving effects).
    — Esther Tseng, Bon Appetit Magazine, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Often found in skin care products in light of their ability to proliferate collagen, peptides fare equally well in hair products by virtue of their follicle-stimulating, scalp-soothing benefits.
    — Sophie Wirt, InStyle, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of stimulating
Noun
  • Consequently, the resulting economic stimulus, inflationary pressure, and intense competition for capital could propel the 10 year US Treasury yield toward a high of 6% before next January.
    — , CNBC, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Scientists are beginning to treat gravity almost like a drug, varying its strength, duration, and frequency on the human body to learn what dose might keep astronauts healthy and whether the same stimulus could help rehabilitate patients on Earth.
    — Stefanie Waldek, Space.com, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of stimulus
Noun
  • The state liquor board would have had to address that question, but the application won’t get that far without the local zoning certificate.
    — Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026
  • On the bedroom floor, there is a composite photo of every member of a sorority class, a fentanyl test, beer cans and liquor bottles littering the space.
    — Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of liquor
Adjective
  • Really, the most energizing part of the movie is its surprise subject matter.
    — Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026
  • For example, lavender is said to have a calming effect, while citrus scents will seem more energizing and lively.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 17 June 2026
Definition of energizing
Noun
  • Yes, money can feel funny right now, and might even be the impetus for some of these changes.
    — Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Sep. 2026
  • So there was kind of an ode to that; that was an impetus for this thing.
    — Gerrad Hall, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of impetus
Noun
  • The idea for the series, explains Sarlanis, came over drinks about three years ago.
    — Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Jungle Bird’s menu featured tropical and music-inspired drinks including Third Eye Tai, Macaws of Life and Gravel Pit.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of drink

Browse Nearby Words

stimes
stimulant
stimulants
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Stimulant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stimulant. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on stimulant

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about stimulant

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
name tags
Words Named After People Quiz Find out who’s behind "leotard," "morphine," an...
See All