as in incentive
something that arouses action or activity
seeing a Broadway play for the first time was the stimulus for her career in the theater
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 stimulus
Necessity is the mother of invention, as the saying goes, and the existential problems that war presents often act as a stimulus to innovation.
—
David Szondy
may 02, New Atlas, 2 May 2026
Migraine Triggers Increase Brain Sensitivity Research indicates that people prone to migraines have a nervous system that reacts more strongly to triggers such as stress, hormones, or sensory stimuli.
—Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 30 Apr. 2026
In the past, increases in military spending have acted as a kind of stimulus.
—Allison Schrager, Twin Cities, 30 Apr. 2026
The dangling carrot predates the conflict, introduced last year as a stimulus.
—Kelsey Warner, semafor.com, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stimulus
David Szondy
may 02, New Atlas, 2 May 2026
Migraine Triggers Increase Brain Sensitivity Research indicates that people prone to migraines have a nervous system that reacts more strongly to triggers such as stress, hormones, or sensory stimuli.
—Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 30 Apr. 2026
In the past, increases in military spending have acted as a kind of stimulus.
—Allison Schrager, Twin Cities, 30 Apr. 2026
The dangling carrot predates the conflict, introduced last year as a stimulus.
—Kelsey Warner, semafor.com, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stimulus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stimulus
Noun
-
The 12-team College Football Playoff has already created incentives for easier schedules.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
10 May 2026
-
Most companies haven’t yet adjusted its employee metrics and incentives to fit with how AI is changing work, Microsoft said in its report, which surveyed 20,000 workers using AI across 10 countries.—
Lisa Eadicicco,
CNN Money,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
The swell of political dissatisfaction with Starmer from many of his colleagues, and what appears to be his narrow escape from an immediate leadership challenge, provides the impetus for the government to revamp its legislative agenda.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
13 May 2026
-
The project now has fresh impetus with SBS Productions and SBS International, which is repping sales at the Cannes market.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
Peonies symbolize love, loyalty, and encouragement.—
Lisa Stardust,
PEOPLE,
9 May 2026
-
Sabalenka was furious, asking her team to give her some encouragement.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
That anticlimax proved enduring motivation for son Clark, now the chairman of the Chiefs.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
15 May 2026
-
Most organizations continue to approach performance through the lens of the individual, focusing on motivation or endurance, while overlooking the structural conditions that quietly determine how people function over time.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stimulus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stimulus. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
