Synonyms of stimulates

stimulates

verb

present tense third-person singular of stimulate

1

as in arouses

to give life, vigor, or spirit to

research into alternative energy sources has been stimulated by this funding increase

Synonyms & Similar Words

• arouses
• stirs
• provokes
• activates
• energizes
• animates
• invigorates
• excites
• awakens
• enlivens
• inspires
• vitalizes
• electrifies
• quickens
• motivates
• vivifies
• drives
• revives
• strengthens
• triggers
• propels
• jump-starts
• rouses
• lifts
• cheers
• recreates
• boosts
• raises
• spikes
• zips (up)
• sparks
• awakes
• amps (up)
• fires
• motives
• peps (up)
• livens (up)
• braces
• moves
• refreshes
• impels
• incites
• jazzes (up)
• charges
• rallies
• actuates
• gingers (up)
• galvanizes
• renews
• resurrects
• fillips
• wakes (up)
• instigates
• juices up
• inflames
• foments
• infuses
• enflames
• fortifies
• reinvigorates
• reactivates
• rejuvenates
• revitalizes
• emboldens
• kindles
• regenerates
• abets
• sets off
• ferments
• rekindles
• heartens
• whips (up)
• reawakens
• turns on
• enkindles
• recharges
• buoys
• resuscitates
• reenergizes
• reanimates
• restimulates
• steels
• reawakes
• refreshens

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• kills
• dampens
• deadens
• dulls
• undermines
• weakens
• damps
• wears
• inhibits
• slows
• drains
• exhausts
• saps
• harasses
• suppresses
• debilitates
• enervates
• restrains
• wearies
• does in
• burns out
• wears out
• knocks out
• enfeebles
• represses
• curbs
• discourages
• fatigues
• quenches
• washes out
• checks
• quells
• fags
• stunts
• stills
• demoralizes
• kayoes
• disheartens
• daunts
• tuckers (out)
• jades
• dispirits

2

as in provokes

to rouse to strong feeling or action

the government crackdown has only stimulated the citizenry to more acts of violence

Synonyms & Similar Words

• provokes
• encourages
• inspires
• arouses
• stirs
• excites
• motivates
• incites
• induces
• instigates
• sparks
• moves
• piques
• drives
• motives
• triggers
• fires (up)
• activates
• ignites
• revs (up)
• impassions
• energizes
• inflames
• galvanizes
• animates
• vitalizes
• quickens
• angers
• builds a fire under
• kindles
• foments
• bothers
• keys (up)
• enflames
• enrages
• abets
• fans
• sets off
• aggravates
• irritates
• raises
• ferments
• whips (up)
• upsets
• annoys
• gets
• teases
• exasperates
• maddens
• pumps up
• taunts
• vexes
• jeers
• galls

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• calms
• soothes
• subdues
• tranquilizes
• appeases
• pacifies
• placates
• tranquillizes
• mollifies

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of stimulates

The caffeine in coffee stimulates the nervous system. —Team Verywell Health, Verywell Health, 25 Sep. 2025

Connie and Tristan are testing a new drug that stimulates the feel-good dopamine receptors in the brain. —Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Sep. 2025

Gontang notes that exercise stimulates endorphins and other neurotransmitters that reduce stress, elevate mood and ease anxiety and depression. —Daryl Austin, USA Today, 24 Sep. 2025

However, research shows that deep belly breathing stimulates the vagus nerve, which elicits the body’s relaxation response. —Juli Fraga, Time, 23 Sep. 2025

While spring fertilization pushes the turf to produces lush, green shoots, fall fertilize stimulates turf to develop a strong root system that will sustain it over winter and prepare the lawn for vibrant regrowth in spring. —Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Sep. 2025

The process also stimulates the skin's production of collagen, a protein that helps maintain skin's elasticity. —Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2025

Mechanistically, exercise improves vascular function, metabolic health, and stimulates the release of endogenous anti-inflammatory mediators. —William A. Haseltine, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025

Vähäsarja vigorously rubbed some cups on Landers’s back—cupping creates a vacuum and stimulates blood flow—and turned the whole thing bright pink. —Sarah Larson, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025