1
as in incentives
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 liquors
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
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 stimulants
By 1998, burnt out on stimulants and anticipating a Y2K apocalypse, Land had a breakdown, left academia, and dropped off the map.
—
James Duesterberg, New Yorker, 18 Feb. 2026
Recreational use of stimulants and performance-enhancing drugs, and high doses of caffeine, can also exacerbate heart issues.
—CBS News, 18 Feb. 2026
The emails show, however, that Epstein wrote to Musk more than 50 times, in total—congratulating him on a successful rocket launch, recommending stimulants, or asking if his workload was getting better.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 13 Feb. 2026
But in just the past two years, two different telehealth practices have been sanctioned for inappropriately prescribing stimulants.
—Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 8 Feb. 2026
State data shows that more Connecticut residents are being prescribed stimulants, such as Ritalin and Adderall.
—Alex Klancko, Hartford Courant, 24 Jan. 2026
Methamphetamine and amphetamine are synthetic stimulants, while 7-hydroxymitragynine and mitragynine are major psychoactive ingredients found in kratom, a supplement that can be used as a stimulant.
—Mirna Alsharif, NBC news, 20 Jan. 2026
Unlike pre-workout stimulants, which offer a short-term boost, creatine builds cumulatively to enhance performance over time.
—Trista Chan, Health, 19 Jan. 2026
Mendelson said truck drivers during the 1950s were taking stimulants to stay awake, and the military uses them to this day.
—Kevin Krause, Dallas Morning News, 6 Jan. 2026
James Duesterberg, New Yorker, 18 Feb. 2026
Recreational use of stimulants and performance-enhancing drugs, and high doses of caffeine, can also exacerbate heart issues.
—CBS News, 18 Feb. 2026
The emails show, however, that Epstein wrote to Musk more than 50 times, in total—congratulating him on a successful rocket launch, recommending stimulants, or asking if his workload was getting better.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 13 Feb. 2026
But in just the past two years, two different telehealth practices have been sanctioned for inappropriately prescribing stimulants.
—Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 8 Feb. 2026
State data shows that more Connecticut residents are being prescribed stimulants, such as Ritalin and Adderall.
—Alex Klancko, Hartford Courant, 24 Jan. 2026
Methamphetamine and amphetamine are synthetic stimulants, while 7-hydroxymitragynine and mitragynine are major psychoactive ingredients found in kratom, a supplement that can be used as a stimulant.
—Mirna Alsharif, NBC news, 20 Jan. 2026
Unlike pre-workout stimulants, which offer a short-term boost, creatine builds cumulatively to enhance performance over time.
—Trista Chan, Health, 19 Jan. 2026
Mendelson said truck drivers during the 1950s were taking stimulants to stay awake, and the military uses them to this day.
—Kevin Krause, Dallas Morning News, 6 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stimulants
Noun
-
Additionally, the group broached regulation versus incentives, forever chemicals and conservation and reuse.—
Lana Ferguson,
Dallas Morning News,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Vonblum said the city is aiming to strike a better balance between providing developer incentives and collecting enough from developers to cover the community needs created by new housing.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Most alcohol is included, so bars like Crystal Cove off the Atrium, the Starlight Club cabaret, pub-style Avenue Saloon, Connoisseur Club cigar bar, and Luxe Night Club are also included, unless guests want top-shelf wines or liquors, which are also available.—
Scott Laird,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Like the winter games, these drinks mix the old and the new—classic liquors with fresh flavors.—
Kylie Petty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In October 2024 ahead of her own stay at MSG, Billie Eilish recorded encouragements to take the subways for environmental benefits.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Hints, counsels, warnings, remonstrations, even encouragements are, in the end, of limited value.—
James Parker,
The Atlantic,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Inside the multistory bar, there were overturned tables and drinks left behind by fleeing customers.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
2 Mar. 2026
-
While Sophie's is currently closed for renovations, guests can enjoy meals and drinks at The Dean Bar, serving coffee, cocktails, and pints alongside breakfast, lunch, and dinner.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Three of the seven sugar substitutes involved in the study—erythritol, sorbitol, and xylitol—belong to a category known as sugar alcohols, artificial sweeteners that can be found in sweet treats like candy, ice cream, baked goods, and protein bars (and can cause digestive symptoms), for example.—
Caroline Tien,
SELF,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Avoid artificial sweeteners and thickening agents, like sugar alcohols and guar gum, to prevent bloating.—
Mira Miller,
Verywell Health,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Similar to the ornate bank hall, the smaller side room influenced the work, with its curved white walls and absence of visual design stimuli.—
Kristen Tauer,
Footwear News,
1 Mar. 2026
-
The reason could be that modern environments contain more interesting stimuli or that modern gasoline no longer contains lead.—
Drew Goins,
The Atlantic,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Punishments in the bill will increase for those who try to redeem out-of-state bottles in Connecticut.—
Sean Krofssik,
Hartford Courant,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Judging from the way Sam slopped wine into the glasses, at least five or six bottles.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Some small changes might lift your spirits.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Assuming that businesses passed the entire fee to consumers, as expected, costs would rise about 3 cents for six 12-ounce beer cans, 5 cents for a standard-sized wine bottle and 26 cents for a fifth of spirits.—
Meg Wingerter,
Denver Post,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stimulants.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stimulants. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
