stimulate
verb
stim·u·late ˈstim-yə-ˌlāt 
stimulated; stimulating
transitive verb
1
: to excite to activity or growth or to greater activity : animate, arouse
2
a
: to function as a physiological stimulus to
b
: to arouse or affect by a stimulant (such as a drug)
intransitive verb
: to act as a stimulant or stimulus
stimulation
ˌstim-yə-ˈlā-shən
noun stimulative
ˈstim-yə-ˌlā-tiv
adjective stimulator
ˈstim-yə-ˌlā-tər
noun stimulatory
ˈstim-yə-lə-ˌtȯr-ē
adjective 
Synonyms
- amp (up)
- animate
- brace
- energize
- enliven
- fillip
- fire
- ginger (up)
- invigorate
- jazz (up)
- juice up
- jump-start
- liven (up)
- pep (up)
- quicken
- spike
- vitalize
- vivify
- zip (up)
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
A raise in employee wages might stimulate production. The economy was not stimulated by the tax cuts. a hormone that stimulates the growth of muscle tissue Their discussion stimulated him to research the subject more. He was stimulated by their discussion.
Recent Examples on the Web Stefanowski responded that his plan would stimulate job growth and the state’s economy. 
Hartford Courant, 28 July 2022 One or more firebushes planted in a container in full sun on your patio will stimulate competition between the individuals. Calvin Finch, San Antonio Express-News, 27 May 2022 Business interests supported the bill, reckoning that the new paper would stimulate commerce. Roger Lowenstein, WSJ, 4 Mar. 2022 Experts believe their entry will stimulate the sector and encourage others to look at clean energy. Niharika Sharma, Quartz, 26 Dec. 2021 Isaacson hopes the omicron variant’s arrival in the Chicago area will stimulate another wave of COVID-19 booster shots for residents. Megan Jones, chicagotribune.com, 9 Dec. 2021 The La Jolla resort was especially appealing, said Pebblebrook Chief Financial Officer Ray Martz, given its location near the beach and a growing life science office market nearby that should stimulate bookings for business meetings. San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Dec. 2021 Harris said investing in pregnant women and mothers would stimulate the economy. Los Angeles Times, 7 Dec. 2021 In an effort to combat the impending wave, federal officials authorized a COVID-19 vaccine booster comprised of both the original vaccine and a new one tweaked to stimulate immunity to the two dominant omicron subvariants. oregonlive, 31 Aug. 2022 See More
Hartford Courant, 28 July 2022 One or more firebushes planted in a container in full sun on your patio will stimulate competition between the individuals. Calvin Finch, San Antonio Express-News, 27 May 2022 Business interests supported the bill, reckoning that the new paper would stimulate commerce. Roger Lowenstein, WSJ, 4 Mar. 2022 Experts believe their entry will stimulate the sector and encourage others to look at clean energy. Niharika Sharma, Quartz, 26 Dec. 2021 Isaacson hopes the omicron variant’s arrival in the Chicago area will stimulate another wave of COVID-19 booster shots for residents. Megan Jones, chicagotribune.com, 9 Dec. 2021 The La Jolla resort was especially appealing, said Pebblebrook Chief Financial Officer Ray Martz, given its location near the beach and a growing life science office market nearby that should stimulate bookings for business meetings. San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Dec. 2021 Harris said investing in pregnant women and mothers would stimulate the economy. Los Angeles Times, 7 Dec. 2021 In an effort to combat the impending wave, federal officials authorized a COVID-19 vaccine booster comprised of both the original vaccine and a new one tweaked to stimulate immunity to the two dominant omicron subvariants. oregonlive, 31 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Latin stimulatus, past participle of stimulare, from stimulus goad; perhaps akin to Latin stilus stem, stylus — more at style
First Known Use
1566, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Phrases Containing stimulate
Kids Definition
stimulate
verb
stim·u·late ˈsti-myə-ˌlāt
stimulated; stimulating
1
: to make active or more active : arouse
The advertisements stimulated interest in the new product.
2
: to act on as a bodily stimulus or stimulant
Caffeine stimulates the nervous system.
Medical Definition
stimulate
transitive verb
stim·u·late -ˌlāt
stimulated; stimulating
1
: to excite to activity or growth or to greater activity
2
a
: to function as a physiological stimulus to (as a nerve or muscle)
b
: to arouse or affect by a stimulant (as a drug)
stimulate
verb
1
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
- arouse
- invigorate
- provoke
- energize
- stir
- enliven
- excite
- vitalize
- activate
- inspire
- awaken
- electrify
- animate
- motivate
- quicken
- revive
- strengthen
- vivify
- drive
- spark
- rouse
- jump-start
- trigger
- propel
- spike
- lift
- boost
- fillip
- cheer
- raise
- recreate
- fire
- brace
- awake
- motive
- charge
- incite
- juice up
- move
- galvanize
- rally
- impel
- refresh
- resurrect
- zip (up)
- pep (up)
- jazz (up)
- foment
- actuate
- instigate
- inflame
- reinvigorate
- renew
- infuse
- liven (up)
- amp (up)
- ginger (up)
- revitalize
- reawaken
- rejuvenate
- fortify
- rekindle
- reactivate
- enkindle
- embolden
- regenerate
- set off
- buoy
- ferment
- restimulate
- reenergize
- hearten
- abet
- enflame
- turn on
- resuscitate
- kindle
- reanimate
- recharge
- wake (up)
- refreshen
- steel
- reawake
- whip (up)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- dampen
- kill
- dull
- deaden
- undermine
- weaken
- damp
- inhibit
- harass
- restrain
- drain
- wear
- enervate
- debilitate
- weary
- suppress
- slow
- exhaust
- knock out
- curb
- enfeeble
- quell
- sap
- repress
- check
- wear out
- fatigue
- discourage
- quench
- wash out
- tucker (out)
- stunt
- burn out
- still
- demoralize
- jade
- daunt
- dishearten
- fag
- kayo
- dispirit
- do in
2
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
- provoke
- encourage
- inspire
- arouse
- excite
- stir
- incite
- motivate
- spark
- induce
- instigate
- move
- drive
- pique
- trigger
- motive
- impassion
- ignite
- energize
- activate
- galvanize
- vitalize
- inflame
- rev (up)
- fire (up)
- quicken
- foment
- build a fire under
- animate
- anger
- enflame
- set off
- abet
- kindle
- enrage
- raise
- bother
- aggravate
- ferment
- irritate
- annoy
- fan
- pump up
- tease
- exasperate
- get
- upset
- taunt
- vex
- key (up)
- whip (up)
- madden
- jeer
- gall
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- soothe
- subdue
- calm
- pacify
- placate
- appease
- tranquillize
- mollify
- tranquilize
Synonym Chooser
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
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 some situations, the words pique and stimulate are roughly equivalent. However, pique suggests stimulating by mild irritation or challenge.
that remark piqued my interest
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
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