stimulating
adjective
stim·u·lat·ing ˈstim-yə-ˌlā-tiŋ 
: producing stimulation: such as
a
: enjoyably exciting or interesting
a very stimulating experience/environment
a stimulating discussion
"There is nothing more stimulating than a case where everything goes against you."
Arthur Conan Doyle
Arthur Conan Doyle b
: acting as a stimulant : producing increased energy or alertness
When nicotine reaches the brain it mimics the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which has a stimulating effect. Laura Mansnerus
Laura MansnerusThey gave strong narcotic or stimulating drugs indiscriminately … John Laffin
John Laffin
Synonyms
- breathtaking
- charged
- electric
- electrifying
- exciting
- exhilarating
- exhilarative
- galvanic
- galvanizing
- hair-raising
- heart-stopping
- inspiring
- intoxicating
- kicky
- mind-bending
- mind-blowing
- mind-boggling
- rip-roaring
- rousing
- stirring
- thrilling
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Word History
First Known Use
1645, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing stimulating
stimulating 1 of 2
adjective
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
- exciting
- interesting
- breathtaking
- thrilling
- inspiring
- intriguing
- exhilarating
- electrifying
- intoxicating
- gripping
- galvanizing
- provocative
- absorbing
- rousing
- electric
- fascinating
- lively
- galvanic
- engrossing
- tantalizing
- mind-blowing
- mind-bending
- rip-roaring
- kicky
- riveting
- stirring
- enthralling
- moving
- enchanting
- titillating
- heart-stopping
- touching
- mind-boggling
- arresting
- exhilarative
- hair-raising
- charged
- dynamic
- spellbinding
- energetic
- poignant
- kinetic
- high-voltage
- lusty
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- boring
- unexciting
- tedious
- tiresome
- dull
- uninteresting
- monotonous
- mind-numbing
- humdrum
- dreary
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
- refreshing
- invigorating
- vitalizing
- rejuvenating
- stimulative
- reviving
- restorative
- vital
- bracing
- tonic
- medicinal
- healthy
- strengthening
- cordial
- beneficial
- therapeutic
- exhilarating
- conditioning
- helpful
- animating
- healthful
- quickening
- sharp
- curing
- life-giving
- remedying
- salubrious
- remedial
- curative
- salutary
- recuperative
- wholesome
- corrective
- rectifying
- reformative
- rehabilitative
- reparative
- reformatory
- exhilarative
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- draining
- weakening
- exhausting
- deadening
- debilitating
- numbing
- enervating
- injurious
- deleterious
- pernicious
- sapping
- wearying
- enfeebling
- noxious
- unhealthy
- unhealthful
- unwholesome
- insalubrious
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
- provocative
- charged
- motivating
- provoking
- exciting
- motivational
- inciting
- instigating
- motivative
- inspiring
- piquing
- edgy
- inducing
- triggering
- energizing
- inflammatory
- instigative
- explosive
- activating
- inspirational
- vitalizing
- incendiary
- galvanizing
- teasing
- quickening
- aggravating
- upsetting
- taunting
- irritating
- exasperating
- maddening
- jeering
- annoying
- vexing
- angering
- enraging
- fiery
- irksome
- bothersome
- vexatious
- galling
- pesky
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- noninflammatory
- subduing
stimulating
2 of 2verb
1
as in arousing
to give life, vigor, or spirit to research into alternative energy sources has been stimulated by this funding increase Synonyms & Similar Words
- arousing
- energizing
- invigorating
- provoking
- enlivening
- exciting
- stirring
- vitalizing
- electrifying
- activating
- inspiring
- awakening
- animating
- motivating
- vivifying
- triggering
- driving
- quickening
- strengthening
- bracing
- reviving
- rousing
- spiking
- sparking
- firing
- boosting
- jump-starting
- lifting
- cheering
- recreating
- propelling
- raising
- awaking
- filliping
- refreshing
- charging
- moving
- rallying
- galvanizing
- jazzing (up)
- juicing up
- pepping (up)
- gingering (up)
- motiving
- zipping (up)
- inciting
- resurrecting
- reinvigorating
- renewing
- rejuvenating
- impelling
- actuating
- revitalizing
- livening (up)
- amping (up)
- infusing
- reenergizing
- fomenting
- regenerating
- buoying
- instigating
- inflaming
- fortifying
- reawakening
- reactivating
- kindling
- enkindling
- rekindling
- heartening
- emboldening
- re-energizing
- fermenting
- recharging
- setting off
- resuscitating
- enflaming
- abetting
- reanimating
- turning on
- restimulating
- waking (up)
- refreshening
- reawaking
- steeling
- whipping (up)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- killing
- deadening
- dampening
- undermining
- exhausting
- damping
- dulling
- draining
- enervating
- inhibiting
- harassing
- weakening
- sapping
- wearing
- debilitating
- suppressing
- restraining
- fatiguing
- enfeebling
- knocking out
- burning out
- curbing
- wearying
- slowing
- checking
- repressing
- discouraging
- washing out
- quenching
- wearing out
- quelling
- stunting
- demoralizing
- daunting
- kayoing
- stilling
- fagging
- dispiriting
- disheartening
- jading
- tuckering (out)
- doing in
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
- provoking
- encouraging
- inspiring
- arousing
- exciting
- motivating
- stirring
- sparking
- moving
- inciting
- inducing
- instigating
- triggering
- energizing
- driving
- impassioning
- activating
- igniting
- vitalizing
- piquing
- galvanizing
- motiving
- inflaming
- revving (up)
- animating
- firing (up)
- kindling
- fanning
- quickening
- building a fire under
- enraging
- fomenting
- angering
- enflaming
- irritating
- bothering
- upsetting
- aggravating
- teasing
- setting off
- raising
- exasperating
- maddening
- fermenting
- getting
- abetting
- taunting
- vexing
- pumping up
- annoying
- jeering
- galling
- keying (up)
- whipping (up)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- soothing
- calming
- subduing
- tranquilizing
- tranquillizing
- pacifying
- mollifying
- placating
- appeasing