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
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stimulating
Niela Orr, Vulture, 13 Jan. 2026
If your future travel plans find you in Central Oregon at any time this holiday season or in the new year, a stimulating visit to the Sunriver Nature Center and Observatory is well worth the time.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 11 Jan. 2026
Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 17 Jan. 2026
Looking for stimulating yet budget-friendly things to do with your family in February?
—Jim Higgins, jsonline.com, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stimulating
Adjective
It was meant to sterilize camels but had a stimulating effect on women 16 to 32.
—Niela Orr, Vulture, 13 Jan. 2026
If your future travel plans find you in Central Oregon at any time this holiday season or in the new year, a stimulating visit to the Sunriver Nature Center and Observatory is well worth the time.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 11 Jan. 2026
Verb
Native to the Southeast, its leaves were long-brewed by Indigenous people into a stimulating drink (and a tea is commercially available).
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 17 Jan. 2026
Looking for stimulating yet budget-friendly things to do with your family in February?
—Jim Higgins, jsonline.com, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stimulating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stimulating
Adjective
-
Still, one respondent saw that as an exciting opportunity.—
The Athletic NFL Staff,
New York Times,
28 Jan. 2026
-
On paper, Paramount+’s debut UFC broadcast Saturday night was meant to usher in an exciting new era for combat sports.—
Chris Lee,
Vulture,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Romance and friendship here feel equal, refreshing and built on mutual admiration.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
29 Jan. 2026
-
This refreshing drink combines turmeric powder, lemon juice, raw honey (for taste), and coconut or mineral water.—
Lindsay Curtis,
Verywell Health,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Tyler brought the same provocative, chaotic self-expression into his solo career in 2009 with the mixtape Bastard, then broke into Billboard’s top five with his studio albums Goblin (2011), Wolf (2013) Cherry Bomb (2015) and Flower Boy (2017).—
Matt Craig,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
However, a highlight was a measured but provocative speech from Monet about mentorship, nepotism and gatekeeping in the music industry.—
Jem Aswad,
Variety,
29 Jan. 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
-
Officials’ insistence that citizens who record agents are provoking violent retribution is a justification for what is becoming a very literal war on truth.—
Jonathan Chait,
The Atlantic,
25 Jan. 2026
-
In the main event of SmackDown, Trick Williams defeated Damian Priest by DQ after provoking Sami Zayn.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Set the scene After taking a breathtaking ride through sweeping mountaintops on the Gornergrat Railway, Europe's highest open-air cogwheel railway, guests arrive in Andermatt—a fairly sleepy Swiss town.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 Jan. 2026
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That breathtaking pace makes the recent deadly crash between two high-speed trains in Spain even more alarming.—
Ben Jones,
CNN Money,
26 Jan. 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
-
After all, both Venus (March 30) and Mars (May 18) will be in Taurus, charming and energizing your public 10th house of career and reputation.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Mosaic, ceramic, porcelain, glass tiles can dictate whether the tone of the space is vibrant and energizing or tranquil and toned down.—
Jennifer Beck Goldblatt,
Architectural Digest,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stimulating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stimulating. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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