Stimulate
To rouse or spur into action; to increase activity, interest, or development.
verbStimulate
To rouse or spur into action; to increase activity, interest, or development.
verbImagine This
Imagine a sleepy classroom. The teacher asks a provocative question, and suddenly a flood of raised hands and excited discussion fills the room—the question has stimulated the students into active engagement.
Sounds Like
STIM-yuh-layt
Looks Like
stimulus, stimulation
Remember This
The word comes from Latin stimulare, meaning to goad or spur on; related nouns include stimulus and stimulation.
Other Forms
Connect With
arouse, excite, energize, spur, provoke, galvanize
Note
Use stimulate to describe provoking activity or interest in people or systems. Do not confuse with 'stimulate' in medical contexts that refer to provoking physiological responses; context usually makes the intended sense clear.