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
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of stimulating
Robert Lloyd, Houston Chronicle, 4 Feb. 2026
Gates has assembled a stimulating, illuminating, maddening, saddening, but often inspiring, story of their relations with the world and one another.
—Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 12 Feb. 2026
The researchers found that targeting this network with brain-stimulating treatments could better alleviate the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
—Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stimulating
Adjective
Gates has assembled a stimulating, illuminating, maddening, saddening, but often inspiring, story of their relations with the world and one another.
—Robert Lloyd, Houston Chronicle, 4 Feb. 2026
Gates has assembled a stimulating, illuminating, maddening, saddening, but often inspiring, story of their relations with the world and one another.
—Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Verb
It’s been a very forward-looking, stimulating environment.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 12 Feb. 2026
The researchers found that targeting this network with brain-stimulating treatments could better alleviate the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
—Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stimulating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stimulating
Adjective
-
What matchup Wednesday looks the most exciting?—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Discoveries The new guard of American talent, Diotima, Ashlyn and Aisling Camps are consistently exciting and increasingly sophisticated in new and modern ways of dressing.—
Lisa Lockwood,
Footwear News,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
There’s a refreshing lack of antler decor, and instead photography and coffee table books pay homage to the American West.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The agua fresca was more cloying than refreshing.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Attorney to the stars Local sports teams suing one another is provocative, but not as sensational as those six weeks in 1998, when Babcock successfully defended Winfrey in Amarillo, where cattlemen brought suit after her TV show’s episode about mad cow disease.—
Brad Townsend,
Dallas Morning News,
19 Feb. 2026
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The Saudis saw this as highly provocative, as unhelpful to the anti-Houthi coalition in Yemen, and as a threat, because of the Yemeni-Saudi border, to Saudi security.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Algorithms tend to prioritize emotionally arousing content, particularly anger, anxiety and outrage.—
Robin Pickering,
The Conversation,
21 Jan. 2026
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Now, Elizabeth and Michael must find a way to send her back to her time, while not arousing the suspicion of Michael’s mother and sister during their family vacation.—
Emily Longeretta,
Variety,
22 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Her style is confrontational and seemingly fearless, often provoking hugely divergent reactions from critics and fans.—
Emily Zemler,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
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Chris Young’s Beyond Earth column explores the intersection of space technology and policy, providing thought-provoking commentary on the latest advancements and regulatory developments in the sector.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Wildly beautiful, Sydney Harbour National Park protects the islands and foreshore around the famous harbour, including some of the most breathtaking beaches, bushland, and coastal trails in the world.—
Sophie Davies,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Feb. 2026
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Since then, Ålesund has been known as a Scandinavian architectural gem, set against a breathtaking natural backdrop.—
Annabelle Dufraigne,
Architectural Digest,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
At a charged political moment, her relatively sober look seemed intended to keep the focus on POTUS.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
12 Dec. 2025
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What Happens Next Greene is likely to continue stoking controversy by breaking with her party, as conversations around immigration remain charged and divisive.—
Alia Shoaib,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Nearby the sauna are five stainless steel, oblong plunge basins for 14 people containing water that’s 37 degrees to 46 degrees Fahrenheit, for an energizing effect.—
Jennifer Weil,
Footwear News,
19 Feb. 2026
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Jackson founded what would ultimately become the Rainbow PUSH Coalition and was a Democratic presidential candidate in 1984 and 1988, energizing and registering millions of Black voters.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stimulating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stimulating. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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