1
as in incentive
something that arouses action or activity
the relaxed zoning regulations should serve as a stimulant for development in the area
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in alcohol
a distilled beverage that can make a person drunk
I always take a bottle of stimulant along on trips, for emergencies like plane crashes or earthquakes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in stimulating
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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 stimulant
Dr. Jill Grimes, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025
There’s some suggestion that the drugs might work for stimulant use disorders as well, and Robertson’s eyes lit up with the promise all of that suggests.
—Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 19 Aug. 2025
Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2025
Both have been charged with first-degree murder, three counts of possession of opiate, opium, narcotic, or certain stimulant, and possession with intent to use drug paraphernalia.
—Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 7 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stimulant
Noun
In 2023, more than 7 in 10 adults in the US who were prescribed stimulant ADHD medications had problems filling their prescriptions because the medications were unavailable, according to 2024 data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
—Dr. Jill Grimes, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025
There’s some suggestion that the drugs might work for stimulant use disorders as well, and Robertson’s eyes lit up with the promise all of that suggests.
—Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, kratom can be a stimulant when used in low doses, increasing alertness and physical energy.
—Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2025
Both have been charged with first-degree murder, three counts of possession of opiate, opium, narcotic, or certain stimulant, and possession with intent to use drug paraphernalia.
—Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 7 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stimulant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stimulant
Noun
-
President Joe Biden's 2022 Inflation Reduction Act—passed solely with Democratic votes in Congress—provided historic incentives for clean energy manufacturers and EV and battery makers.—
Jeff Young,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
-
If a ball is kicked into the landing zone and then bounces into the endzone while staying inbounds, it must be returned or downed; however, there is an incentive for attempting a return in that instance, as a touchback would only spot the receiving team at their 20.—
Armon Sadler,
VIBE.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
And while hair perfumes are typically less concentrated and contain less alcohol (to prevent dryness), our testers appreciated that the scent lingers all day long.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
-
However, according to Federal Aviation Administration regulations, you are not allowed to drink alcohol on board unless it’s served by a flight attendant.—
Jessie Beck,
AFAR Media,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Our conversations were always insightful and engaging, a truly stimulating exchange of ideas.—
Andrea Onate,
Footwear News,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Whatever happens will be a stimulating alternative that will likely appeal to you.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Forty years ago, Donald Homa, a professor of psychology at Arizona State University specializing in memory and the visual perception of linguistic stimuli, was contacted by officials at the American Speed Reading Academy with an extraordinary tale.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
16 Sep. 2025
-
The hope was that a quick jolt of stimulus (delivered without haste) could stir an economic recovery.—
Robert Goulder,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The downtown Raleigh location even has a full bar with liquor drinks, including the Sam Jones Old Fashioned, which blends Evan Williams whiskey with crème de cacao, peach, and orange.—
Robert F. Moss,
Southern Living,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Each Tuesday, organizers cover up the bar's regular liquor bottles, and N/A beverages are served, often around the same prices as drinks with alcohol.—
Brad Schmitt,
Nashville Tennessean,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
However, the company has recently made a huge change that is the impetus for a plan that should drive tremendous shareholder value — after being led by co-founder Aneel Bhusri since inception, Carl Eschenbach became its full-time CEO in February 2024.—
Kenneth Squire,
CNBC,
20 Sep. 2025
-
Inadvertently, the smartphone has destroyed our impetus to wander, get lost, and find ourselves.—
Paul Greenberg,
Time,
20 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Herbsnleaf sells edibles, vapes, drinks, capsules and oils, all designed to deliver the benefits of CBD in treating chronic pain, anxiety and insomnia.—
Shawn Price,
Oc Register,
19 Sep. 2025
-
The Dutch audience – blinded to who had received which drink – ultimately judged the alcohol group more fluent, most likely because mild alcohol reduces anxiety.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
In 1979, Birkin began an affair with the filmmaker Jacques Doillon, who was thirty-five to her thirty-two—an invigorating change from Gainsbourg, eighteen years her senior.—
Anahid Nersessian,
New Yorker,
15 Sep. 2025
-
That said, there are far less invigorating ways to watch a good movie go off the rails than to put yourself in the hand of Schnabel.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stimulant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stimulant. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share