stimulating

American  

[stim-yuh-ley-ting] / ˈstɪm yəˌleɪ tɪŋ /

adjective

1. causing interest, inspiration, or incitement to action.

   We offer a stimulating work environment with lots of opportunity for growth.

2. inciting; acting as a cause.

   Rapid technological change is described by some authors as a stimulating factor in the decline of traditional ways of growing food.

3. having the property of exciting a nerve, gland, etc., to its functional activity.

   This plant tincture has a stimulating effect on the liver, spleen, and digestive system.

---

Other Word Forms

• nonstimulating adjective
• self-stimulating adjective
• semistimulating adjective
• stimulatingly adverb
• unstimulating adjective
• unstimulatingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of stimulating

First recorded in 1640–50; stimulate ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

Further rate cuts are possible, but the central bank said it won’t move quickly to reach a neutral level, where borrowing costs are neither stimulating nor holding back the economy.

From The Wall Street Journal

In “War and Power” Mr. O’Brien, a professor of strategic studies at the University of St. Andrews and the author of “The Strategists,” develops a stimulating argument about “who wins wars—and why.”

From The Wall Street Journal

He suggests listening to something stimulating, or even turning driving into a game.

From BBC

Cutting interest rates is aimed at stimulating the job market by creating lower borrowing costs for businesses.

From BBC

Liquidity conditions should remain manageable, driven by government initiatives and better fiscal spending patterns focused on stimulating the economy.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• appealing
• challenging
• exhilarating
• hectic
• inspiring
• interesting
• invigorating
• lively
• provocative
• thought-provoking
• thrilling