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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stimulates
Mechanistically, exercise improves vascular function, metabolic health, and stimulates the release of endogenous anti-inflammatory mediators.
—
William A. Haseltine, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
The chemical targets a different system in the brain than standard antidepressants, triggering the release of glutamate, which stimulates the growth of new synapses between brain cells.
—Rachel Hale, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
Vähäsarja vigorously rubbed some cups on Landers’s back—cupping creates a vacuum and stimulates blood flow—and turned the whole thing bright pink.
—Sarah Larson, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
Fiber helps slow digestion and stimulates the production of satiety hormones.
—Jillian Kubala, Health, 2 Sep. 2025
This stimulates that discussion.
—Brad Schmitt, The Tennessean, 28 Aug. 2025
But vasopressin also stimulates the pituitary gland to release ACTH, the messenger hormone that triggers the adrenal glands to pump out cortisol.
—New Atlas, 21 Aug. 2025
It’s administered as two spritzes—one in each nostril—and stimulates antibodies against the influenza virus in the nasal passages and bloodstream to protect against serious disease.
—Alice Park, Time, 15 Aug. 2025
Deadheading helps prevent the formation of seeds and stimulates additional flowering.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 15 Aug. 2025
William A. Haseltine, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
The chemical targets a different system in the brain than standard antidepressants, triggering the release of glutamate, which stimulates the growth of new synapses between brain cells.
—Rachel Hale, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
Vähäsarja vigorously rubbed some cups on Landers’s back—cupping creates a vacuum and stimulates blood flow—and turned the whole thing bright pink.
—Sarah Larson, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
Fiber helps slow digestion and stimulates the production of satiety hormones.
—Jillian Kubala, Health, 2 Sep. 2025
This stimulates that discussion.
—Brad Schmitt, The Tennessean, 28 Aug. 2025
But vasopressin also stimulates the pituitary gland to release ACTH, the messenger hormone that triggers the adrenal glands to pump out cortisol.
—New Atlas, 21 Aug. 2025
It’s administered as two spritzes—one in each nostril—and stimulates antibodies against the influenza virus in the nasal passages and bloodstream to protect against serious disease.
—Alice Park, Time, 15 Aug. 2025
Deadheading helps prevent the formation of seeds and stimulates additional flowering.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 15 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stimulates
Verb
-
This arouses the ire of the town’s belligerent sheriff (Colin Hanks, playing against type) and crooked theme park owner (John Ortiz) who decide to get revenge on the apparent family man causing them trouble.—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Aug. 2025
-
The moon’s clash with Chiron arouses your pessimistic side.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Every action provokes a reaction.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
After a sleepy start to the second half at Old Trafford, the arrival of Benjamin Sesko, and the relocation of Cunha into a deeper position, provokes a fresh wave of interest.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
For decades, scientists have considered the moon a dead world—a silent, unchanging landscape where nothing stirs.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Cardinal safety Budda Baker is still wreaking havoc and remains the proverbial straw that stirs the drink.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
This song encourages them to get messy, play, and have fun with this staple activity of the Halloween season.—
Elisabeth Sherman,
Parents,
19 Sep. 2025
-
The backdrop this year is a festive workshop and the set encourages building and creative play.—
Alexander Cox,
Space.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The system, created by Eshel Wasim and Dharsan Srinivasan, uses AI and sensors to detect when a crash is imminent and activates automatically if the plane is below 3,000 feet.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Neuroscience confirms that a rival’s failure actually activates the ventral striatum, the brain’s pleasure center, rivaling the thrill of a team’s success.—
Richard Menger MD MPA,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
Jack Tamisiea,
Scientific American,
17 Sep. 2025
-
With guidance and resources from the American Heart Association, each nominee builds a personalized campaign, recruits an Impact Team and inspires others to join the mission.—
Forbes.com,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Put It Into Practice Be specific about your current situation, including what energizes and drains you.—
Caroline Castrillon,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Meanwhile, with Venus in your eighth house of intimacy, your desire for connection deepens, while Mars energizes your career sector, pushing you to create a healthy balance between passion and ambition.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Beyond the broad concrete steps that traverse the water-friendly (and automatically irrigated) xeriscaped front yard and through the lime-green door that animates the charcoal exterior cladding hides a small courtyard open to the sky, a classic feature in an Eichler home.—
Mark David,
Robb Report,
29 Aug. 2025
-
Catholic social teaching, which is founded on the life and words of Jesus Christ and built on a commitment to the poor and the strangers among us, guides this work and animates those individuals who financially support it.—
William McCarthy,
Baltimore Sun,
5 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stimulates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stimulates. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.
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