stimulate

[stim-yuh-leyt]

verb (used with object)

stimulated, stimulating 

1. to rouse to action or effort, as by encouragement or pressure; spur on; incite.

   A childhood summer learning program was the first thing to stimulate his interest in mathematics.

   Synonyms: excite, activate, arouse

2. Physiology, Medicine/Medical.,  to excite (a nerve, gland, etc.) to its functional activity.

3. to invigorate (a person) by a food or beverage containing a stimulant such as coffee or tea.

verb (used without object)

stimulated, stimulating 

1. to act as a stimulus or stimulant.

stimulate

/ ˈstɪmjʊˌleɪt /

verb

1. (tr; usually passive) to fill (a person) with ideas or enthusiasm

   he was stimulated by the challenge

2. (tr) physiol to excite (a nerve, organ, etc) with a stimulus

3. to encourage (something) to start or progress further

   a cut in interest rates should help stimulate economic recovery

Other Word Forms

• stimulation noun
• stimulable adjective
• stimulator noun
• stimulative adjective
• stimulability noun
• stimulater noun
• interstimulate verb (used with object)
• nonstimulable adjective
• overstimulate verb
• prestimulate verb (used with object)
• restimulate verb (used with object)
• self-stimulated adjective
• superstimulate verb (used with object)
• unstimulable adjective
• unstimulated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of stimulate¹

First recorded in 1540–50; from Latin stimulāt(us) “goaded” (past participle of stimulāre “to goad, incite,” from stimulus stimulus ( def. ) ); -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of stimulate¹

C16: from Latin stimulāre; see _stimulant

Synonym Study

See animate.

Example Sentences

One promising strategy focuses on stimulating neuronal differentiation, the process of forming new neurons that could replace those lost and potentially slow or counteract neurodegeneration.

Read more on Science Daily

“I wanted to be Warren Beatty, not date him,” Keaton confessed, romancing fellow artists as long as their relationship was mutually stimulating and then after that, remaining friends.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The Atukorale Lab draws inspiration from how pathogens naturally stimulate the immune system.

Read more on Science Daily

It not only stimulated myelin repair but also helped regulate immune activity, a critical balance for MS therapies.

Read more on Science Daily

Italy, long a poster child for Europe’s problems of economic stagnation and high government debt, introduced tax breaks aimed at attracting high earners as part of its efforts to stimulate growth.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• arouse 
• encourage 
• inspire 
• prompt 
• quicken 
• spark 
• spur 
• trigger 
• vitalize