Vocabulary in context
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Stimulate
To rouse or spur into action; to increase activity, interest, or development.
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Imagine 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.
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Sounds Like
STIM-yuh-layt
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Looks Like
stimulus, stimulation
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Remember This
The word comes from Latin stimulare, meaning to goad or spur on; related nouns include stimulus and stimulation.
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Other Forms
stimulusnoun
stimulatingadjective
stimulatedadjective
stimulatornoun
stimulationnoun
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Connect With
arouse, excite, energize, spur, provoke, galvanize
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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.
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Study Deeper
Examples
- Caffeine helps stimulate alertness during long study sessions.
- The government hopes the tax cuts will stimulate economic growth.
Synonyms
arouseexcitespurenergizegalvanize
Antonyms
dampendeterinhibit
Etymology
From Latin stimulare 'to goad, urge on,' from stimul- 'goad' related to stimulus.
Mnemonic
STIMULATE = Spark Thoughts, Inspire Minds, Unleash Learning, Activate Teaching Energy.
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Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Abandon
verbTo give up completely, to desert or leave behind, or to relinquish a claim, plan, or responsibility.
Abate
verbTo decrease in amount or intensity; to reduce or end something.
Abolish
verbTo formally end or repeal a system, practice, or institution; to officially put an end to something established.
Abridge
verbTo shorten (a text, speech, or other work) by omitting parts; to condense.
Abscond
verbTo depart secretly or flee, especially to avoid detection or arrest.
Absolve
verbTo free someone from blame or responsibility; to pardon or exonerate.
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