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
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in provoking
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 stimulating
Heather Wence, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 July 2025
Damon, 13, loves any mentally stimulating activity.
—The Star, Kansas City Star, 7 June 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
More and more of today’s learning is digital, but summer is a great opportunity to create your own stimulating learning environment.
—Heather Wence, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 July 2025
Damon, 13, loves any mentally stimulating activity.
—The Star, Kansas City Star, 7 June 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
-
Having a baby is such an exciting time, every time.—
Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott,
Southern Living,
8 Aug. 2025
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While the audience may not have been up to par, Davidson's seating arrangement was very exciting.—
Julia Moore,
People.com,
8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Other favorites were the spicy, savory and crunchy Shiseido peppers, nicely balance with a refreshing melon salad.—
Michael Goldstein,
Forbes.com,
16 Aug. 2025
-
The sight of people eating together, laughing, and walking outside in the sunlight was refreshing after hours of scrolling through videos of tasks completed alone in greige apartments with overhead lighting.—
Julie Beck,
The Atlantic,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Palihapitiya’s perspective, while provocative, reflects a growing skepticism among some technologists about the durability of traditional intellectual property laws in the face of generative AI.—
Paulo Carvão,
Forbes.com,
12 Aug. 2025
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The movie was a hit among the critical community when it was released, with most noting how Melancholia departed from some of von Trier’s earlier, more provocative work.—
Sara Netzley,
EW.com,
10 Aug. 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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In 2008, the United States suggested that Georgia and Ukraine might eventually join the alliance but offered no concrete path to membership, thus provoking Russia without effectively deterring it.—
Michael Beckley,
Foreign Affairs,
7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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With its breathtaking views and uncompromising natural beauty, Aspen’s particular cultural phenomenon is its understanding that aesthetics are not ornamental but essential.—
Skylar Mitchell,
Essence,
5 Aug. 2025
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In warmer weather, accordion glass doors open to the outdoor patio with breathtaking views.—
Kinsey Giddick,
Travel + Leisure,
3 Aug. 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
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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
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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
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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 20 Aug. 2025.
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