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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb stimulate contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of stimulate are excite, pique, provoke, and quicken. While all these words mean "to arouse as if by pricking," stimulate suggests a rousing out of lethargy, quiescence, or indifference.

stimulating conversation

When would excite be a good substitute for stimulate?

While the synonyms excite and stimulate are close in meaning, excite implies a stirring up or moving profoundly.

news that excited anger and frustration

In what contexts can pique take the place of stimulate?

In some situations, the words pique and stimulate are roughly equivalent. However, pique suggests stimulating by mild irritation or challenge.

that remark piqued my interest

When might provoke be a better fit than stimulate?

The words provoke and stimulate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, provoke directs attention to the response called forth.

my stories usually provoke laughter

When can quicken be used instead of stimulate?

The meanings of quicken and stimulate largely overlap; however, quicken implies beneficially stimulating and making active or lively.

the high salary quickened her desire to have the job

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 stimulate Although municipalities in other countries can borrow from their national government—Canada regularly provides localized loans to stimulate housing construction—American cities and towns usually don’t have that luxury. Michael Waters, The Atlantic, 6 Nov. 2025 The nuclear industry needs a big order of reactors to stimulate the market and supply chains, Isaac said. Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2025 Prescribed burns help clean up forest debris and stimulate new growth, mimicking natural fire patterns in the high country. Sarah Henry, AZCentral.com, 5 Nov. 2025 Aside from giving each strain their unique smell, terpenes also contribute to effects where some may be sedating (linalool, terpinene, myrcene), stimulating (limonene, pinene) and have medicinal benefits (caryophyllene, beta caryophyllene). Carly Fisher, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for stimulate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stimulate
Verb
  • More than three devices is considered a cluster that arouses interest.
    Carolyn Forché, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
  • That intense scarcity arouses a FOMO among very wealthy car lovers that allows Ferrari to charge prices like $250,000 for one of its entry-level cars, and $3 million for a hypercar like its F80.
    Phil Wahba, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • However, this year's ad has provoked widespread criticism, with some even calling for a boycott of Sephora.
    Reia Li, AZCentral.com, 4 Nov. 2025
  • These characters are so thin, their storylines so flimsy and their motives so underbaked that there’s no recognizable emotion underlying any of it, and thus no feeling to be provoked by watching it.
    Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 4 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • In a large bowl, stir together fennel, garlic, heavy cream, nutmeg, salt, pepper, and 1 cup parmesan until evenly combined.
    Stephanie Ganz, Southern Living, 9 Nov. 2025
  • Dissolve soda in milk; stir into shortening mixture.
    Molly Guthrey, Twin Cities, 8 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Her administration has encouraged the siting of data centers in Michigan through sales and use tax exemptions.
    Keith Matheny, Freep.com, 7 Nov. 2025
  • For example, toddlers will benefit from toys that encourage them to build gross motor skills and work on early speech and literacy skills.
    Anja Webb, Parents, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Today’s young people aren’t motivated by apocalyptic warnings, they’re energized by the expanding toolbox of climate solutions and the opportunity to play an active role in shaping a brighter future.
    Alexis Abramson, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2025
  • The outlet also called the New York City mayor’s race for Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani, a 34-year-old state assemblymember who energized the city with his ambitious campaign.
    Kate Wolffe, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Nicole said her costume was actually inspired by a childhood friend, ironically named Taylor.
    Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 8 Nov. 2025
  • The reality star has been studying through an apprenticeship program in California and was inspired to pursue a career in the legal field, focusing on criminal justice reform.
    Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 8 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • The region’s invigorating multiculturalism also allures visitors drawn to calypso music, island cuisine, and its history as a port of entry to the Caribbean.
    Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 6 Nov. 2025
  • That’s the bitter epigraph that opens this invigorating first episode of Death by Lightning, and one important aspect of the book on which this miniseries is based, Candice Millard’s Destiny of the Republic, is that the 20th president didn’t deserve to be forgotten.
    Scott Tobias, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Not even modern Pride parades enliven cities with as much glittering delirium as that triumphant procession.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 4 Nov. 2025
  • The early rounds of the postseason were enlivened by extraordinary feats from the game’s two biggest stars, but that was just baseball clearing its throat for the World Series, which earned its title—in English, Spanish, and Japanese; in the United States and Canada—as a genuine Fall Classic.
    Steve Rushin, The Atlantic, 2 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Stimulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stimulate. Accessed 10 Nov. 2025.

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