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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 Movement can stimulate the digestive system, allowing for an increase in blood flow. Laura Schober, Health, 9 June 2025 One promising use is transcranial ultrasound stimulation, which is being tested extensively as a noninvasive way to stimulate the brain and treat neurological and psychiatric diseases. Sangeeta S. Chavan, IEEE Spectrum, 9 June 2025 This combination purportedly amps up lymphatic drainage and blood circulation while stimulating muscles for firmer, more radiant skin. Ingrid Schmidt, HollywoodReporter, 8 June 2025 According to New Hope Fertility, the cost of egg freezing, medications to stimulate egg production and storage of said eggs could range between $9,000 to $15,000. Ashley Vega, People.com, 6 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for stimulate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stimulate
Verb
  • Personally, however, your idealism will be aroused.
    Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 13 June 2025
  • For instance, people often mistake a dog’s wagging tail as a sign of happiness, but the American Kennel Club suggests that the wagging movement only indicates that the dog is emotionally aroused.
    Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • News of the plan, which was developed by city administrators but has not been publicly vetted or discussed, has provoked considerable consternation in political, downtown, cultural and preservation circles.
    Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 26 June 2025
  • Furthermore, a closure would also provoke Iran's market in Asia, particularly China, which accounts for a majority of Iranian oil exports.
    Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 23 June 2025
Verb
  • The beauty and brilliance of Baum’s story is undoubtedly in its timeless power to stir an emotional response in us as adults.
    Hazel Gaynor June 18, Literary Hub, 18 June 2025
  • More recently, the actress stirred buzz for gaining 30 pounds to play boxer Christy Martin in an upcoming biopic.
    Charles Trepany, USA Today, 18 June 2025
Verb
  • Smith encouraged him to tap into his enthusiasm for developing new ideas.
    Ryan Stowers, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
  • These plays still aren’t consistent from Ivey, but look for the Pistons to put him in more pick-and-roll situations to encourage more growth in that department.
    Hunter Patterson, New York Times, 18 June 2025
Verb
  • In total, Dixon, who worked as a hype man to energize crowds at Joe’s shows for 16 years, said he was subjected to more than 4,000 such scenarios throughout his tenure.
    Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 20 June 2025
  • Motivational speeches, grateful teams and energizing collaborations are a part of it— sometimes.
    Joe Altieri, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • The end is a three-and-a-half-minute outro inspired by The King and I… the music had this waltzing, temptress thing.
    Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 20 June 2025
  • Palm Tree Crew, which was valued in 2024 at $150 million, activates each of its partner brands into the fabric of its experiences, which cofounders Kygo and Myles Shear, inspired by Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville empire, started about five years ago.
    Andrew Watman, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • Hang glide from atop sand dunes with Kitty Hawk Kites during an invigorating three-hour beginner’s lesson.
    Kate Lewis, New York Times, 19 June 2025
  • Leah’s inheritance becomes the inciting incident in a series of events that unravel her life: Her trip awakens a latent violence in her husband and an invigorating independent streak in her.
    Xochitl Gonzalez, The Atlantic, 13 June 2025
Verb
  • Edmonton drew within 3-1 on the first goal of the Final from McDavid, briefly enlivening the home crowd.
    Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 15 June 2025
  • Throughout, Perry’s documentary shares a problem endemic to thematic studies of movies, whether academic or popular: its cross-section is necessarily art-indifferent, and not all the footage here is enlivening.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 10 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Stimulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stimulate. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

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