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
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stimulating
Akshay Syal, NBC news, 9 Feb. 2026
Gates has assembled a stimulating, illuminating, maddening, saddening, but often inspiring, story of their relations with the world and one another.
—Robert Lloyd, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2026
Brian Cheung, NBC news, 5 Mar. 2026
Styles speak-sings over cascading keyboards in his most verbose song on the album, which is also his most musically stimulating.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stimulating
Adjective
Isaacson sometimes recommends his patients even try a cognitively stimulating activity while exercising, such as taking a meeting while walking or doing cognitive training on a stationary bike.
—Akshay Syal, NBC news, 9 Feb. 2026
Gates has assembled a stimulating, illuminating, maddening, saddening, but often inspiring, story of their relations with the world and one another.
—Robert Lloyd, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2026
Verb
Another benefit of cutting rates would be stimulating the purchase of steel-heavy purchases like appliances and cars, Kopf said.
—Brian Cheung, NBC news, 5 Mar. 2026
Styles speak-sings over cascading keyboards in his most verbose song on the album, which is also his most musically stimulating.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stimulating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stimulating
Adjective
-
Article continues below Seasonal boost to auroras This week's storm watch comes at an especially exciting time for aurora hunters, with many regarding March as one of the best months to see the northern lights.—
Daisy Dobrijevic,
Space.com,
17 Mar. 2026
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So, to see him now, four solo albums deep, embracing a love of dance is exciting.—
Annie Harrigan,
Billboard,
17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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With so much fashion existing online, there’s something refreshing about trying pieces on in-store after eyeing them first on a little screen.—
Laura Jackson,
Vogue,
20 Mar. 2026
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Elsewhere, drivers are refreshing apps like GasBuddy and going out of their way for cheaper fuel and discounts as prices reach nearly $4 a gallon on average.—
Casey He,
Bloomberg,
19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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His savior was the experimental documentarian Harun Farocki, famous for provocative works that skewered bourgeois complacency.—
Holden Seidlitz,
New Yorker,
20 Mar. 2026
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The book includes provocative texts from Semiotext(e) contributors like Chris Kraus, Hedi El Kholti, Abdellah Taïa, Lauren Mackler and French novelist Constance Debré, among others.—
Sammy Loren,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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To avoid arousing suspicion, the mission was primarily carried out by ground forces with limited air support from helicopters, Trevilla said.—
Gonzalo Zegarra,
CNN Money,
24 Feb. 2026
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Algorithms tend to prioritize emotionally arousing content, particularly anger, anxiety and outrage.—
Robin Pickering,
The Conversation,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The ur-mutiny, encompassing some of these, provoking and provoked by others, is MAGA.—
George Packer,
The Atlantic,
16 Mar. 2026
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From thought-provoking discussions and engaging events to joyful celebrations and community service.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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It’s perched on a cliff with truly breathtaking views of the Sir Francis Drake Channel.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 Mar. 2026
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One Battle After Another's Teyana Taylor looked breathtaking, thanks to makeup artist Yeika Glow.—
Kara Jillian Brown,
InStyle,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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At a charged political moment, her relatively sober look seemed intended to keep the focus on POTUS.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
12 Dec. 2025
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What Happens Next Greene is likely to continue stoking controversy by breaking with her party, as conversations around immigration remain charged and divisive.—
Alia Shoaib,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Issues that some people are not happy about are energizing people at the local level, Caliendo said, pointing to a debate over a proposal for the state's largest data center in Joliet.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
17 Mar. 2026
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The instinctive Moon starts out energizing your 11th House of Social Circles, and its square to rebellious Uranus in your 2nd House of Materials presses for contributions and roles.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stimulating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stimulating. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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