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

• stimulable adjective
• stimulability noun
• stimulation noun
• stimulator 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
• stimulative 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

The idea was that large defense expenditures would stimulate demand in the economy, promoting growth.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Investors seem to have faith that the drug tariffs and TrumpRx will stimulate domestic manufacturing, reduce drug prices, enhance access to essential medications, and improve public-health.

Read more on Barron's

Cheaper models “will be important to stimulate demand with the EV tax credit expiring,” Ives wrote in a note Tuesday.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The move is to try and stimulate the island's rental sector where, according to De Sausmarez, a lack of rental stock had been causing rents to rocket.

Read more on BBC

While her policy proposals to stimulate the economy through increased government spending could benefit businesses, they may further weaken the yen as Japan's debt rises, said Mr Koll.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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