Stimulate — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /ˈstim-yə-ˌlāt/ stim·u·late

Meaning & Definition of Stimulate

Stimulate (verb)

  1. to excite to activity or growth or to greater activity, animate, arouse
  2. to function as a physiological stimulus to
  3. to arouse or affect by a stimulant (such as a drug)

Stimulate (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to give life, vigor, or spirit to

    "research into alternative energy sources has been stimulated by this funding increase"

    similar: amp (up), animate, brace, energize, enliven, fillip, fire, ginger (up), invigorate, jazz (up), juice up, jump-start, liven (up), pep (up), quicken, spike, vitalize, vivify, zip (up)
    related: arouse, awake, awaken, raise, rouse, stir, wake (up), activate, actuate, drive, impel, motivate, motive, move, propel, charge, electrify, galvanize, enkindle, excite, ferment, foment, incite, inflame, instigate, kindle, provoke, set off, spark, trigger, turn on, whip (up), abet, boost, buoy, cheer, embolden, fortify, hearten, infuse, inspire, lift, rally, steel, strengthen, reactivate, reanimate, reawake, reawaken, recharge, recreate, reenergize, refresh, refreshen, regenerate, reinvigorate, rejuvenate, rekindle, renew, restimulate, resurrect, resuscitate, revitalize, revive
    opposite: damp, dampen, deaden, dull, kill
    near: burn out, debilitate, do in, drain, enervate, enfeeble, exhaust, fag, fatigue, harass, kayo, knock out, sap, tucker (out), undermine, wash out, weaken, wear, wear out, weary, check, curb, inhibit, jade, quell, quench, repress, restrain, slow, still, stunt, suppress, daunt, demoralize, discourage, dishearten, dispirit

  2. to rouse to strong feeling or action

    "the government crackdown has only stimulated the citizenry to more acts of violence"

    similar: arouse, encourage, excite, fire (up), impassion, incite, instigate, move, pique, provoke, rev (up), spark, stir, build a fire under
    related: fan, ignite, inflame, kindle, trigger, activate, animate, drive, energize, galvanize, induce, inspire, key (up), motivate, motive, pump up, quicken, set off, vitalize, abet, ferment, foment, raise, whip (up), anger, enrage, madden, upset, jeer, taunt, tease, aggravate, annoy, bother, exasperate, gall, get, irritate, vex
    near: calm, soothe, subdue, tranquilize, appease, mollify, pacify, placate

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Stimulate

The most common words with a similar meaning to Stimulate:

amp (up), animate, brace, energize, enliven, fillip, fire, ginger (up), invigorate, jazz (up), juice up, jump-start, liven (up), pep (up), quicken, spike, vitalize, vivify, zip (up), arouse, encourage, excite, fire (up), impassion, incite, instigate, move, pique, provoke, rev (up), spark, stir, build a fire under

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Stimulate

Words with the opposite meaning of Stimulate:

damp, dampen, deaden, dull, kill

Related Words for Stimulate

awake, awaken, raise, rouse, wake (up), activate, actuate, drive, impel, motivate, motive, propel, charge, electrify, galvanize, enkindle, ferment, foment, inflame, kindle, set off, trigger, turn on, whip (up), abet, boost, buoy, cheer, embolden, fortify

Near Antonyms of Stimulate

burn out, debilitate, do in, drain, enervate, enfeeble, exhaust, fag, fatigue, harass, kayo, knock out, sap, tucker (out), undermine, wash out, weaken, wear, wear out, weary, check, curb, inhibit, jade, quell, quench, repress, restrain, slow, still

Word Forms of Stimulate

Inflections: stimulated, stimulating

Derived words: stimulation (noun), stimulative (adjective), stimulator (noun), stimulatory (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Stimulate

Latin stimulatus, past participle of stimulare, from stimulus goad; perhaps akin to Latin stilus stem, stylus style

First known use: 1566t

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Stimulate

Words & Phrases Containing Stimulate

overstimulate

Frequently Asked Questions about Stimulate

What does "Stimulate" mean?

"Stimulate" means to excite to activity or growth or to greater activity, animate, arouse. As a verb, it is defined as: to excite to activity or growth or to greater activity, animate, arouse. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Stimulate"?

Other words for "Stimulate" include amp (up), animate, brace, energize, enliven, fillip, fire and ginger (up). The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Stimulate" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Stimulate"?

There are 109 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Stimulate". Common alternatives include amp (up), animate, brace, energize, enliven, fillip, fire, ginger (up), invigorate and jazz (up).

What is the opposite of "Stimulate"?

Antonyms of "Stimulate" include damp, dampen, deaden, dull and kill. Near antonyms include burn out, debilitate, do in and drain.

How do you use "Stimulate" in a sentence?

Examples of "Stimulate" in a sentence: "research into alternative energy sources has been stimulated by this funding increase"; "the government crackdown has only stimulated the citizenry to more acts of violence".

Is "Stimulate" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Stimulate" is a verb.

Is "Stimulate" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Stimulate" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Stimulate"?

"Stimulate" is pronounced /ˈstim-yə-ˌlāt/ and divided into syllables as stim·u·late.