STIMULATING Synonyms: 260 Similar and Opposite Words

stimulating 1 of 2

adjective

ˈstim-yə-ˌlā-tiŋ

Definition of stimulating

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

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

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

stimulating

2 of 2

verb

present participle of stimulate

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

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of stimulating

Adjective

This is the time to do the intellectually stimulating things. — Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Aug. 2026 That’s really the most stimulating, but not necessarily on camera. — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 11 Aug. 2026

Verb

Yes, that’s twice as many treatment options as the previous Series 2 mask—which means this pick is clinically proven to diminish the appearance of crepiness by stimulating collagen and elastin, as well as pigmentation concerns. — Jenny Berg, Vogue, 28 Sep. 2026 Kratom can be stimulating or sedating, depending on the dosage taken, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration. — Anthony Cusumano, NBC news, 25 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stimulating

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stimulating

Adjective

Perhaps less exciting is the fact her failures are more than just the flawed Edison machine.

— Torie Bosch, STAT, 24 Oct. 2026
The radio series takes in interviews with academic hormone specialists, including the team at Imperial College in London who are conducting some of the most exciting and innovative research in this area.

— Gavin Francis, The New York Review of Books, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of exciting

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

Definition of arousing

Verb

In 2012 American entrepreneur Russ George spread roughly 100 tons of iron in the North Pacific, provoking international criticism that a commercial venture had begun geoengineering without adequate oversight.

— Alec Luhn, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
The same principle applies to debates about religion, economics and virtually any subject capable of provoking strong emotions.

— Rabbi Bruce D. Forman, Sun Sentinel, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of provoking

Adjective

Desperate for a rebound after his worst finish of the Chase, the defending series champion expanded his points lead by a wide margin with a breathtaking rally from 11th to first on the final lap.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
Words fail, however, when attempting to describe the breathtaking view.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of breathtaking

Adjective

The result is an urgent, propulsive song with a raw spirit and some of Pop’s most super-charged writing with deceptively simple lyrics about love and war, dripping with desperation.

— Debby Wolfinsohn, Entertainment Weekly, 7 July 2026
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

Definition of charged

Verb

One way this splurge could pay for itself is by raising productivity, or output per worker, and energizing the entire economy.

— RUCHIR SHARMA, Foreign Affairs, 13 Oct. 2026
The Fox reboot celebrates the franchise’s enduring legacy, while re-energizing it for today’s global audience.

— Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of energizing

Browse Nearby Words

stimulates

stimulating

stimulation

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Stimulating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stimulating. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of stimulating

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

milieu

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes