1
as in arouses
to give life, vigor, or spirit to
research into alternative energy sources has been stimulated by this funding increase
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in provokes
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
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Recent Examples of stimulates
The viral beauty gadget stimulates collagen, boosts circulation, and leaves you with plump, youthful results.
—
Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 6 Feb. 2026
Then, they are manually placed on Multi Electrode Arrays (MEAs), a grid of tiny electrodes on a biocompatible substrate chip that records and stimulates neurons using 32 electrodes grouped into four sets of eight.
—Matthew S Williams, Interesting Engineering, 5 Feb. 2026
The type and amount of resistance training need to be challenging enough to break down muscle tissue, which stimulates it to rebuild.
—Nancy Lebrun, Verywell Health, 4 Feb. 2026
When applied to the scalp, minoxidil increases blood flow and stimulates your hair follicles to regrow hair.
—Caroline C. Boyle, USA Today, 31 Jan. 2026
This could take the form of an especially enjoyable trip full of interesting conversations, a spiritual experience that uplifts you, or learning that stimulates your mind.
—Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Jan. 2026
Meanwhile, protein stimulates satiety hormones, according to Zinn.
—Kirsten Nunez, Martha Stewart, 28 Jan. 2026
This increases demand for low-carbon products, stimulates decarbonisation and strengthens interest in DRI/HBI feedstock, which Ukraine can supply.
—CBS News, 23 Jan. 2026
The idea of imagining a new world, new possibilities, has always been what really stimulates me.
—Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 14 Jan. 2026
Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 6 Feb. 2026
Then, they are manually placed on Multi Electrode Arrays (MEAs), a grid of tiny electrodes on a biocompatible substrate chip that records and stimulates neurons using 32 electrodes grouped into four sets of eight.
—Matthew S Williams, Interesting Engineering, 5 Feb. 2026
The type and amount of resistance training need to be challenging enough to break down muscle tissue, which stimulates it to rebuild.
—Nancy Lebrun, Verywell Health, 4 Feb. 2026
When applied to the scalp, minoxidil increases blood flow and stimulates your hair follicles to regrow hair.
—Caroline C. Boyle, USA Today, 31 Jan. 2026
This could take the form of an especially enjoyable trip full of interesting conversations, a spiritual experience that uplifts you, or learning that stimulates your mind.
—Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Jan. 2026
Meanwhile, protein stimulates satiety hormones, according to Zinn.
—Kirsten Nunez, Martha Stewart, 28 Jan. 2026
This increases demand for low-carbon products, stimulates decarbonisation and strengthens interest in DRI/HBI feedstock, which Ukraine can supply.
—CBS News, 23 Jan. 2026
The idea of imagining a new world, new possibilities, has always been what really stimulates me.
—Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 14 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stimulates
Verb
-
More than three devices is considered a cluster that arouses interest.—
Carolyn Forché,
New Yorker,
3 Nov. 2025
-
That intense scarcity arouses a FOMO among very wealthy car lovers that allows Ferrari to charge prices like $250,000 for one of its entry-level cars, and $3 million for a hypercar like its F80.—
Phil Wahba,
Fortune,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The aroma of coffee brewing reliably provokes desire.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Deadline can reveal the first trailer for the radical love story revolving around Suzanne and undocumented migrant Osmane, whose relationship provokes a wave of anger and indignation all around them, forcing them to resist.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The black hole also actively pushes and stirs the galactic gas and dust.—
Paul Sutter,
Space.com,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The script also stirs in a BDSM tryst between two servants in a stable.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The evening was more about the vibe; Gelman encourages all guests to dress up in fancy cocktail attire.—
Rachel Syme,
New Yorker,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Perhaps that’s because, unlike other reality dating TV shows like The Bachelor and Love Island, the series encourages frank conversations about politics and social issues that mirror dating in the modern age.—
Savannah Walsh,
Vanity Fair,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Today’s Mercury-Uranus square energizes your money zone and your 5th House of Temptations, pinging you back and forth between budget plans and spontaneous delights.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Mercury energizes your 3rd House of Bulletins, which makes this a great time to connect with your neighbors or other local residents.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
There’s a lot of fear of China in Japan, economically and militarily, and, even though people understand there’s interdependence between the two countries, Takaichi is seen as being willing to stand up to China, which inspires a kind of nationalism.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
10 Feb. 2026
-
SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
Claire Cameron,
Scientific American,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
When damage occurs, whether as a crack, fracture, or microscopic defect, the material senses the disruption and activates an internal repair response.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Sanders’ go-to exercise activates muscles in your core and hips to help prevent the above inefficiencies.—
Sarah Klein,
Outside,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Perhaps the thought of former pros populating college sports and taking spots away animates Congress to act, but the track record isn’t promising.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The ensuing density of pattern pressing against pattern animates a play of geometries and rhythms that links Keïta’s visual schemas to those of European abstraction.—
Zoë Hopkins,
New Yorker,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stimulates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stimulates. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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