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

In response, Beijing has announced a raft of initiatives aimed at reviving the housing market, stimulating consumer spending and boosting the wider economy.

From BBC

Just over a week after his death, Marineland's trainers were seen stimulating Keijo.

From BBC

She found Roig's sessions to be stimulating, challenging and instantly encouraging.

From BBC

“I was physically exhausted at this point on the tour, but I was so mentally stimulated and so excited to be creating.”

From Los Angeles Times

"I was basically exhausted at this point in the tour, but I was so mentally stimulated and so excited to be creating," she said.

From BBC

Related Words

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