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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stimulating
Pranjal Malewar, New Atlas, 14 Oct. 2025
This stimulating and picturesque biographical graphic novel captures the extraordinary life of Fela Kuti, the Nigerian musician who put the Afrobeat genre of music at the forefront as an international voice of resistance.
—Lynnette Nicholas, Essence, 9 Oct. 2025
New Atlas, 9 Oct. 2025
From removing buildup to stimulating circulation and keeping your complexion vibrant and balanced, estheticians often recommend monthly facials as necessary maintenance for your skin.
—Essence, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stimulating
Adjective
This crucial enzyme transforms glutamate (a stimulating neurotransmitter) into GABA (a calming one).
—Pranjal Malewar, New Atlas, 14 Oct. 2025
This stimulating and picturesque biographical graphic novel captures the extraordinary life of Fela Kuti, the Nigerian musician who put the Afrobeat genre of music at the forefront as an international voice of resistance.
—Lynnette Nicholas, Essence, 9 Oct. 2025
Verb
The vaccine combines two immune-stimulating molecules (adjuvants) in a tiny lipid nanoparticle that enhances both innate and adaptive immune responses.
—New Atlas, 9 Oct. 2025
From removing buildup to stimulating circulation and keeping your complexion vibrant and balanced, estheticians often recommend monthly facials as necessary maintenance for your skin.
—Essence, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stimulating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stimulating
Adjective
-
Watching these flux ropes in the simulation form so quickly and move toward Earth was exciting, but concerning.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Prior to undergoing Tommy John surgery in June 2024, Luis Perales had broken out as one of the Red Sox’s most exciting minor league pitchers.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
But adding a refreshing cucumber to your beverage offers an extra hydration boost, thanks to the veggie's high water content.—
Cristina Mutchler,
Verywell Health,
17 Oct. 2025
-
There’s something refreshing about it.—
Kate Aurthur,
Variety,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Sabrina Carpenter leaned into her provocative image while pulling double duty as host and musical guest on Saturday Night Live.—
Mitchell Peters,
Billboard,
19 Oct. 2025
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Her poetry carries it all—the metaphysical, the flirtatious, the unsettling, the provocative— all in such miniscule space.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Mike Evans could return, and the Johnsons (Kameron and Tez) pack arousing upside, but Otton is likely to earn the biggest target spike.—
Brad Evans,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
-
But then Swift reveals the full conceit of the song, which is how flattering and even arousing it is to hear about someone thinking about you constantly (even if for negative reasons).—
Zack Sharf,
Variety,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
This tender, wry and thought-provoking story offers a different perspective on looking for love, regret and the ‘what if’ of it all.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Skims is no stranger to bold and thought-provoking products, having previously caused a stir with its controversial line of face wraps.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The rock formations of the Burren in County Clare create a barren but breathtaking landscape that stretches out to the sea.—
Bernadette Keith,
Travel + Leisure,
19 Oct. 2025
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Black Swan excels by offering breathtaking dance choreography, and the film's gorgeous cinematography provides viewers with a tapestry of imagery unparalleled by most psychological horror films.—
Steven Thrash,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
Verb
-
With the sun officially energizing your 10th house of boss moves, Scorpio season puts your ambitions and public persona under the spotlight.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
22 Oct. 2025
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In their inaugural season, the team defied expectations and clinched a playoff berth, energizing fans across California and beyond.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
21 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stimulating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stimulating. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.
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