stimulant

1 something that arouses action or activity the relaxed zoning regulations should serve as a stimulant for development in the area Synonyms boost, encouragement, goad, impetus, incentive, incitation, incitement, instigation, momentum, motivation, provocation, spur, impulse, stimulus, yeastRelated Words inducement, invitation; antecedent, cause, consideration, grounds, motive, occasion, reason; catalyst, catalyzer, fuel, sparkAntonyms counterincentive, disincentive

2 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 aqua vitae, ardent spirits, booze, bottle, drink, firewater, grog, hooch [slang], inebriant, intoxicant, John Barleycorn, juice [slang], liquor, lush [slang], moonshine, potable, rum, sauce [slang], spirits, alcohol, strong drink, tippleRelated Words aperitif, bracer, chaser, digestif, nightcap; belt, load, nip, peg [British], pop, shooter, shot, slug, snifter, snort, tot, whet; cocktail, mixed drink; ale, beer, brew, brewage, brewski [slang], home brew, malt liquor, microbrew, mum, nappy [chiefly Scottish]; mead, sake (or saki), wine; barley-bree (also barley-broo) [chiefly Scottish], brandy, gin, liqueur, mao-tai, mescal, schnapps, tequila, vodka, whiskey (or whisky); Dutch courageAntonyms nonintoxicant