stimulant 1 of 2

noun

ˈstim-yə-lənt How to pronounce stimulant (audio)
Definition of stimulantnext
1
as in incentive
something that arouses action or activity the relaxed zoning regulations should serve as a stimulant for development in the area

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in alcohol
a distilled beverage that can make a person drunk I always take a bottle of stimulant along on trips, for emergencies like plane crashes or earthquakes

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

stimulant

2 of 2

adjective

as in stimulating

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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 stimulant
Noun
And just as chemical stimulants such as caffeine and Adderall can interfere with sleep, so, too, can excessive meditation. — Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2026 The former campaign manager gave law enforcement a nylon glove containing powder cocaine and a 20-milligram tablet of Adderall, a prescription stimulant that contains amphetamines. — Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2026
Adjective
Trash is strewn everywhere; people addicted to the cheap stimulant basuco, derived from cocaine-production residue, lumber around in varying states of distress. — Mattha Busby, Rolling Stone, 19 Aug. 2026 Black market Yaba is a street name for pills containing methamphetamine, a powerful, highly addictive stimulant. — Chas Newkey-Burden, TheWeek, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stimulant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stimulant
  1. incentive
  2. alcohol
  3. stimulating
  4. stimulus
  5. liquor
  6. energizing
  7. impetus
  8. drink
Noun
  • The Port Authority of Kansas City approved incentives for the development earlier this year.
    — Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Iowa lawmakers will return to the Statehouse Friday to consider expanding the ceiling on state tax incentives in an effort to secure a $15 billion steel plant project for the state.
    — Hannah Fingerhut, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of incentive
Noun
  • The singer said that he was first admitted to a Swiss hospital in connection with his alcohol use in November 2023.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2026
  • But now Oktoberfest is a proving ground for one of the most profound changes sweeping the global drinks industry as more consumers cut alcohol from their lives.
    — Erik Kirschbaum, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of alcohol
Adjective
  • Those who understand quickly move forward, while those who need more time, a different explanation or a less stimulating environment can easily fall behind.
    — Irma Davarashvili, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026
  • These adaptogenics also cost as much, if not more, than alcoholic spirits, such as Three Spirit, which incorporates ingredients such as guayusa (stimulating effects), damiana (aphrodisiac effects) and valerian (stress-relieving effects).
    — Esther Tseng, Bon Appetit Magazine, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of stimulating
Noun
  • The leaders who are willing to pause between stimulus and response create sustainable change.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Researchers have studied how certain facial and auricular stimuli interact with parasympathetic activity.
    — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of stimulus
Noun
  • The state liquor board would have had to address that question, but the application won’t get that far without the local zoning certificate.
    — Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026
  • On the bedroom floor, there is a composite photo of every member of a sorority class, a fentanyl test, beer cans and liquor bottles littering the space.
    — Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of liquor
Adjective
  • Really, the most energizing part of the movie is its surprise subject matter.
    — Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026
  • For example, lavender is said to have a calming effect, while citrus scents will seem more energizing and lively.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 17 June 2026
Definition of energizing
Noun
  • Yes, money can feel funny right now, and might even be the impetus for some of these changes.
    — Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Sep. 2026
  • So there was kind of an ode to that; that was an impetus for this thing.
    — Gerrad Hall, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of impetus
Noun
  • The idea for the series, explains Sarlanis, came over drinks about three years ago.
    — Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Jungle Bird’s menu featured tropical and music-inspired drinks including Third Eye Tai, Macaws of Life and Gravel Pit.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of drink

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stimes
stimulant
stimulants
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Cite this Entry

“Stimulant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stimulant. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on stimulant

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about stimulant

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