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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in provokes
to rouse to strong feeling or action
the government crackdown has only stimulated the citizenry to more acts of violence
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stimulates
Nostalgia stimulates positive emotional experiences, as well as improving an individual's self-esteem.
—
Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
During digestion, fat stimulates the release of bile acids from the gallbladder.
—Brittany Lubeck, Verywell Health, 8 Oct. 2025
Semaglutide mimics a glucagon-like peptide 1, a hormone in the body that reduces appetite and stimulates insulin secretion.
—Surina Venkat, The Hill, 3 Oct. 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
Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
During digestion, fat stimulates the release of bile acids from the gallbladder.
—Brittany Lubeck, Verywell Health, 8 Oct. 2025
Semaglutide mimics a glucagon-like peptide 1, a hormone in the body that reduces appetite and stimulates insulin secretion.
—Surina Venkat, The Hill, 3 Oct. 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stimulates
Verb
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This arouses the ire of the town’s belligerent sheriff (Colin Hanks, playing against type) and crooked theme park owner (John Ortiz) who decide to get revenge on the apparent family man causing them trouble.—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Aug. 2025
-
The moon’s clash with Chiron arouses your pessimistic side.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Every action provokes a reaction.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
After a sleepy start to the second half at Old Trafford, the arrival of Benjamin Sesko, and the relocation of Cunha into a deeper position, provokes a fresh wave of interest.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The Ryder Cup, too, stirs intense concentrations of emotion given the team format.—
Kevin Coulson,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
-
You're being pulled beneath the surface and something ancient stirs in the black below.—
Meredith G. White,
AZCentral.com,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Eating seasonally encourages a more varied diet that can support overall health and help the body adapt to seasonal changes.—
Stephanie Brown,
Verywell Health,
10 Oct. 2025
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The sheriff’s office advises parents to check children’s backpacks and encourages children to speak up to their teachers.—
Julia Marnin,
Miami Herald,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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At the same time, the drone activates its reverse thrust mode, pressing its feet firmly against the vehicle’s surface.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Oct. 2025
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The Pisces lunar eclipse on September 7 activates your communication sector and may bring revelations through conversations, writing, or making new friends.—
Meghan Rose,
Glamour,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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That type of mindset commands respect and inspires confidence inside Seattle’s locker room, particularly when paired with a willingness to battle in the trenches.—
Michael-Shawn Dugar,
New York Times,
9 Oct. 2025
-
SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
Eve Lu,
Scientific American,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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To take things up a notch, caffeine energizes dull, tired skin for an instant wake-up call.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
30 Sep. 2025
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The Aries Full Moon on the 6th energizes your expansion zone and ignites your sector of travel, publishing, spirituality, and belief systems.—
Dossé-Via Trenou,
Refinery29,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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This conception of the self animates rational choice theory in the social sciences, with its reliance on the model of the utility-maximizing subject.—
Sophia Rosenfeld
September 26,
Literary Hub,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Yet what distinguishes Bowles’s work—what animates those strange, angular sentences, with their unexpected rhythms and turns of phrase and rabid energy—isn’t its interest in nonconformity but its obsession with spiritual transformation.—
Nicole Flattery,
Harpers Magazine,
19 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stimulates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stimulates. Accessed 13 Oct. 2025.
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