STIMULATORS Synonyms: 161 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'stimulate' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of stimulate are excite , pique , provoke , and quicken . While all these words mean "to arouse as if by pricking," stimulate suggests a rousing out of lethargy, quiescence, or indifference. // stimulating conversation

Q: When would 'excite' be a good substitute for 'stimulate'?

While the synonyms excite and stimulate are close in meaning, excite implies a stirring up or moving profoundly. // news that excited anger and frustration

Q: In what contexts can 'pique' take the place of 'stimulate'?

In some situations, the words pique and stimulate are roughly equivalent. However, pique suggests stimulating by mild irritation or challenge. // that remark piqued my interest

Q: When might 'provoke' be a better fit than 'stimulate'?

The words provoke and stimulate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, provoke directs attention to the response called forth. // my stories usually provoke laughter

Q: When can 'quicken' be used instead of 'stimulate'?

The meanings of quicken and stimulate largely overlap; however, quicken implies beneficially stimulating and making active or lively. // the high salary quickened her desire to have the job

stimulate

verb

ˈstim-yə-ˌlāt

Definition of stimulate

as in to arouse

to give life, vigor, or spirit to research into alternative energy sources has been stimulated by this funding increase

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to provoke

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

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb stimulate contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of stimulate are excite, pique, provoke, and quicken. While all these words mean "to arouse as if by pricking," stimulate suggests a rousing out of lethargy, quiescence, or indifference.

stimulating conversation

When would excite be a good substitute for stimulate?

While the synonyms excite and stimulate are close in meaning, excite implies a stirring up or moving profoundly.

news that excited anger and frustration

In what contexts can pique take the place of stimulate?

In some situations, the words pique and stimulate are roughly equivalent. However, pique suggests stimulating by mild irritation or challenge.

that remark piqued my interest

When might provoke be a better fit than stimulate?

The words provoke and stimulate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, provoke directs attention to the response called forth.

my stories usually provoke laughter

When can quicken be used instead of stimulate?

The meanings of quicken and stimulate largely overlap; however, quicken implies beneficially stimulating and making active or lively.

the high salary quickened her desire to have the job

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of stimulate This is because protein slows digestion and stimulates the release of insulin, which helps clear glucose from the bloodstream more efficiently. — Christopher Bergland, Verywell Health, 4 Nov. 2026 While a treatment with one of Faria’s team starts from $350, she’s shared some of her favorite (easy) exercises that are designed to stimulate your lymphatic system at home. — Hannah Coates, Vogue, 3 Nov. 2026 The costs of the medications to stimulate her ovaries to produce eggs, the donor eggs they would be combined with, and genetic testing for any resulting embryos, were not. — Megan Molteni, STAT, 2 Nov. 2026 This potentially removes the need to add a separate immune-stimulating ingredient to the vaccine. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 31 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stimulate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stimulate

Verb

Now, Elizabeth and Michael must find a way to send her back in time, while not arousing the suspicion of Michael’s mother and sister during their family vacation.

— Rachel LaBonte, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2026
The prospect of war did, however, arouse excitement in some quarters.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of arouse

Verb

Though the mood at his event was mostly one of defeat, Hilton stirred the crowd with a promise to help Republicans break the Democratic supermajority in the state Legislature in 2028.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026
Using a wooden spoon or heatproof spatula, stir and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

— ABC News, ABC News, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of stir

Verb

In a statement, Gaspar said he was encouraged by the early results and the momentum behind his campaign.

— Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026
The company said the release is intended to encourage other researchers to build on the work and improve the technology.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of encourage

Verb

Despite his long-standing presence in California politics, the modest Becerra initially struggled to energize support for his gubernatorial campaign.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026
Actor and rapper Common also energized the crowd to get the job done by voting for El-Sayed.

— Julia Avant, CBS News, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of energize

Verb

The idea was inspired by birds, which often hop from place to place instead of constantly flying, saving them a lot of energy.

— Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 4 Nov. 2026
It’s been three years since Christine and the Queens shared his last proper solo album, a 20-song record inspired by Angels in America.

— Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of inspire

Verb

Sisters Tasha and Bella Tanjutco are environmentalists who work with designers and artists to help invigorate their climate work, focusing on collaboration and creativity.

— Madeleine Schulz, Vogue, 5 Nov. 2026
The series’ second season is invigorating, too, but in a different way, like an icy wind finding its way under your scarf, or a snowball exploding into a puff of powder on your face.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of invigorate

Verb

It's enlivened with an accent wall, along with a really unusual light fitting that resembles a tree branch.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 4 Nov. 2026
The forcefulness of their singing conveys desperation, but preempts so much of the nuance that enlivens their songs—the fundamental regret in their voice grinding against the fundamental determination.

— Stephen M. Deusner, Pitchfork, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of enliven

Browse Nearby Words

stimulants

stimulate

stimulated

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Stimulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stimulate. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of stimulate

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

cockamamie

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Old-Timey Vehicles

The Words of the Week - Nov. 6

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes