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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stimulating
Andrew Weil, Flow Space, 8 May 2025
Use Treat-Dispensing Chew Toys Durable rubber toys stuffed with food are highly stimulating.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025
Ruth Jessen Hickman, Md, Health, 23 Dec. 2024
Clomid, a selective estrogen receptor modulator, and Letrozole, an aromatase inhibitor, both work by signaling FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) in the brain to make more eggs, says Ahmad.
—Fiorella Valdesolo, Vogue, 20 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for stimulating
Adjective
The stimulating effect of the caffeine in tea is balanced out by the relaxing effect of the L-theanine, resulting in a state of relaxed alertness.
—Andrew Weil, Flow Space, 8 May 2025
Use Treat-Dispensing Chew Toys Durable rubber toys stuffed with food are highly stimulating.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025
Verb
These blood tests might include a complete blood count; a metabolic panel; and tests for fasting blood glucose, thyroid stimulating hormone, and vitamin B12 levels.
—Ruth Jessen Hickman, Md, Health, 23 Dec. 2024
Clomid, a selective estrogen receptor modulator, and Letrozole, an aromatase inhibitor, both work by signaling FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) in the brain to make more eggs, says Ahmad.
—Fiorella Valdesolo, Vogue, 20 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for stimulating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stimulating
Adjective
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McVay has his top tight end group in a while, an exciting prospect for the coach’s football chess options.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 May 2025
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The latter star has landed a number of hits throughout the past few years by repurposing melodies and interpolating hooks from older, familiar smashes by other artists, reworking them into something exciting and new for a different audience.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
Adjective
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That glistening swimming hole might look—and feel—refreshing on a sweltering day.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
23 May 2025
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Balancing the softness, an oversized high-neck top offers a refreshing, modern edge, while a metallic bouclé jacket channels the timeless sophistication of the quintessential Valli woman — the kind who lunches in couture and lives for a touch of glamour.—
Lauren Alexis Fisher,
Footwear News,
22 May 2025
Adjective
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Sign up for the Race/Related Newsletter Join a deep and provocative exploration of race, identity and society with New York Times journalists.—
Troy Closson,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
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The movies were provocative by design, and many critics condemned the movie.—
Jordan Hoffman,
EW.com,
30 May 2025
Verb
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This will deepen the divide between the global North and South on issues of race and cultural difference, straining the West’s diplomatic relations with countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America while provoking broader resentment toward Western countries seen as perpetuating racial hierarchies.—
Matias Spektor,
Foreign Affairs,
7 Jan. 2025
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In 2008, the United States suggested that Georgia and Ukraine might eventually join the alliance but offered no concrete path to membership, thus provoking Russia without effectively deterring it.—
Michael Beckley,
Foreign Affairs,
7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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At the center is Cerro San Cristóbal, with breathtaking views of wildflowers, pine forests and the Andes Mountains.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
27 May 2025
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Michelangelo Imperfect–a breathtaking new Michelangelo Buonarroti exhibition at the Statens Museum for Kunst (SMK) National Gallery of Denmark–is the most comprehensive display of the Renaissance artist’s sculptural work in 150 years.—
Lee Sharrock,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2025
Adjective
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For context, geomagnetic storms are caused by fiery eruptions from the sun's surface that send charged particles zipping toward our planet.—
Tom Brown,
Space.com,
20 May 2025
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The ceremony came at a charged moment, coinciding with Columbia University canceling its graduation ceremony (and largely closing off its campus).—
David Matthews,
New York Daily News,
6 May 2024
Verb
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On April 18, the red planet will return to your sign, energizing and revitalizing you after a long retrograde cycle.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
20 Mar. 2025
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On top of the sun energizing your stability-seeking second house of money and values, the moon in Sagittarius highlights everything from your career to your sense of authority.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
20 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Thursday’s swings also hit the bond market, which had been showing encouraging signals earlier in the day that stress may be easing.—
Time,
Time,
11 Apr. 2025
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At the time, Meta issued similar guidance, releasing an update that solved the breach and encouraging users to move to the latest version of WhatsApp.—
Daniel R. Depetris,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stimulating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stimulating. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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