1
as in exciting
causing great emotional or mental stimulation
enjoys the good food and stimulating conversation at his best friend's house
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in refreshing
having a renewing effect on the state of the body or mind
a brisk, stimulating walk on a bright, clear wintry day
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in provocative
serving or likely to arouse a strong reaction
an article containing a stimulating argument for raising, not lowering, the tax on gasoline
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in arousing
to give life, vigor, or spirit to
research into alternative energy sources has been stimulated by this funding increase
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2
as in provoking
to rouse to strong feeling or action
the government crackdown has only stimulated the citizenry to more acts of violence
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stimulating
Valerie Mesa, People.com, 12 May 2025
Preparation for change Encountering the new environment Adapting to it over time
Much like school transitions, returning from travel involves shifting from an exciting and stimulating environment back to routine life.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
Ruth Jessen Hickman, Md, Health, 23 Dec. 2024
Clomid, a selective estrogen receptor modulator, and Letrozole, an aromatase inhibitor, both work by signaling FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) in the brain to make more eggs, says Ahmad.
—Fiorella Valdesolo, Vogue, 20 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for stimulating
Adjective
Once the sun enters Gemini on May 20, the atmosphere takes on a lighter, playful, more cerebral energy, as curiosity, flirtation and mentally stimulating conversations take center stage.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 12 May 2025
Preparation for change Encountering the new environment Adapting to it over time
Much like school transitions, returning from travel involves shifting from an exciting and stimulating environment back to routine life.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
Verb
These blood tests might include a complete blood count; a metabolic panel; and tests for fasting blood glucose, thyroid stimulating hormone, and vitamin B12 levels.
—Ruth Jessen Hickman, Md, Health, 23 Dec. 2024
Clomid, a selective estrogen receptor modulator, and Letrozole, an aromatase inhibitor, both work by signaling FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) in the brain to make more eggs, says Ahmad.
—Fiorella Valdesolo, Vogue, 20 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for stimulating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stimulating
Adjective
-
New Version Sells Well On June 13, ABBA re-released its namesake album on exciting formats.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
24 June 2025
-
In our house, television is allowed on weekends but not on school days, which, by Saturday, makes getting downstairs and turning it on all the more exciting and urgent for him.—
Jana Pollack,
Parents,
24 June 2025
Adjective
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Start the refreshing process by cutting 1 inch off your sunflowers’ stems and washing away residue on the ends with running water.—
Sheryl Geerts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 June 2025
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The hedge fund believes the board has the wrong skill sets and needs refreshing.—
Alicia Adamczyk,
Fortune,
28 June 2025
Adjective
-
On Monday, Davis Gates didn’t do herself or her cause any favors with provocative messaging about how Chicago’s children are CTU’s kids, too.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
25 June 2025
-
The Second Lady offers a quick congratulations to the provocative conservative panelist.—
Alexandra Del Rosario,
Los Angeles Times,
24 June 2025
Verb
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This will deepen the divide between the global North and South on issues of race and cultural difference, straining the West’s diplomatic relations with countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America while provoking broader resentment toward Western countries seen as perpetuating racial hierarchies.—
Matias Spektor,
Foreign Affairs,
7 Jan. 2025
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Yet when North Korea invaded South Korea, the United States intervened forcefully, pushing up to the Chinese border and provoking a ferocious Chinese counterattack.—
Michael Beckley,
Foreign Affairs,
7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Nearby, a formal dining room offers seating for up to 10 guests under a breathtaking sloped ceiling.—
Demetrius Simms,
Robb Report,
20 June 2025
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The four-story spa features 36 treatment rooms, an adult-only pool, and a serene rooftop lounge with breathtaking views.—
Carole Dixon,
Travel + Leisure,
18 June 2025
Adjective
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For context, geomagnetic storms are caused by fiery eruptions from the sun's surface that send charged particles zipping toward our planet.—
Tom Brown,
Space.com,
20 May 2025
-
The ceremony came at a charged moment, coinciding with Columbia University canceling its graduation ceremony (and largely closing off its campus).—
David Matthews,
New York Daily News,
6 May 2024
Verb
-
On April 18, the red planet will return to your sign, energizing and revitalizing you after a long retrograde cycle.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
20 Mar. 2025
-
On top of the sun energizing your stability-seeking second house of money and values, the moon in Sagittarius highlights everything from your career to your sense of authority.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
20 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Thursday’s swings also hit the bond market, which had been showing encouraging signals earlier in the day that stress may be easing.—
Time,
Time,
11 Apr. 2025
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At the time, Meta issued similar guidance, releasing an update that solved the breach and encouraging users to move to the latest version of WhatsApp.—
Daniel R. Depetris,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stimulating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stimulating. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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