1
as in exciting
causing great emotional or mental stimulation
enjoys the good food and stimulating conversation at his best friend's house
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in refreshing
having a renewing effect on the state of the body or mind
a brisk, stimulating walk on a bright, clear wintry day
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in provocative
serving or likely to arouse a strong reaction
an article containing a stimulating argument for raising, not lowering, the tax on gasoline
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in arousing
to give life, vigor, or spirit to
research into alternative energy sources has been stimulated by this funding increase
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in provoking
to rouse to strong feeling or action
the government crackdown has only stimulated the citizenry to more acts of violence
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stimulating
Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2026
Chuck Reger, franchise business coach at Five Star Painting, says bright red is highly stimulating and naturally increases alertness.
—Natasha Bazika, Martha Stewart, 7 Mar. 2026
Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Apr. 2026
Key Points Lawn aeration is the process of pulling small cores of soil from the grass, stimulating growth.
—Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stimulating
Adjective
Musk recently embraced the phrase with a meme of eyes reddened from the intoxicating exhaustion of situation monitoring—a recreation more stimulating, the joke goes, than any chemical substance.
—Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2026
Chuck Reger, franchise business coach at Five Star Painting, says bright red is highly stimulating and naturally increases alertness.
—Natasha Bazika, Martha Stewart, 7 Mar. 2026
Verb
Bishop also recommends avoiding chartreuse in bedrooms because of how stimulating the color can be.
—Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Apr. 2026
Key Points Lawn aeration is the process of pulling small cores of soil from the grass, stimulating growth.
—Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stimulating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stimulating
Adjective
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But that exciting crash sequence — from initial turbulence through to catastrophic Pacific Ocean landing — is where high-stakes action specialist Harlin is most firmly in his sweet spot.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Friends, networks and social circles can bring exciting connections now.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The guests, influenced by a secondhand spirit of festivity, ordered a round of Melonades, a refreshing, bittersweet concoction of vodka, lemon, and cantaloupe, topped with a heap of crushed ice.—
Dan Stahl,
New Yorker,
1 May 2026
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This month, a refreshing energy drink alternative, moreish Parmesan ranch potato chips, and our current favorite wood cutting board.—
Alaina Chou,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Beyond the series’ provocative premise, its most resonant moments belong to Harbour.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
23 Apr. 2026
-
There was already this sort of more classical literary style and these more ornate sentences that are doing three different things at once, and some of the playfulness and the provocative and the prurient and the spiritual kind of call to care for the least of the people.—
Peter Larsen,
Oc Register,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Today, fiery Mars moves to the top of your chart to stay for the next six weeks, arousing your ambition as never before.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
9 Apr. 2026
-
No clear catalyst One reason the surge in oil futures trading is arousing suspicion is that no market-moving announcements were slated for Monday morning, such as government economic releases or speeches from Federal Reserve officials.—
Aimee Picchi,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The films below offer up thought-provoking answers, but not all of them are bullish on humanity’s chances.—
Keith Phipps,
Vulture,
23 Apr. 2026
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On a brighter note, under this thought-provoking transit, networking can become surprisingly fruitful.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Few journeys bring you as close to this breathtaking landscape as the Rocky Mountaineer, a train that threads through canyons, forests, and mountain passes.—
Taryn White,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Time honoree Nikki Glaser is breathtaking in baby blue at the 2026 TIME100 Gala in New York City on April 23.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
At a charged political moment, her relatively sober look seemed intended to keep the focus on POTUS.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
12 Dec. 2025
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What Happens Next Greene is likely to continue stoking controversy by breaking with her party, as conversations around immigration remain charged and divisive.—
Alia Shoaib,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Day sessions usually include something energizing like yoga or mat Pilates, while evenings offer stretching and meditation.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 Apr. 2026
-
This can create a connection that’s deeply magnetic, energizing and all-consuming.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stimulating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stimulating. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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