stimulating 1 of 2

adjective

ˈstim-yə-ˌlā-tiŋ How to pronounce stimulating (audio)
Definition of stimulatingnext
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

stimulating

2 of 2

verb

present participle of stimulate
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

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
Nicotine dependence alters brain chemistry by stimulating neurotransmitters like dopamine that govern mood and pleasure, according to Cleveland Clinic. — Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 24 Sep. 2026 Are my kids better off with a low-stimulating classic movie like Cinderella? — Jillian Pretzel, Parents, 22 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stimulating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stimulating
  1. exciting
  2. refreshing
  3. provocative
  4. arousing
  5. provoking
  6. breathtaking
  7. charged
  8. energizing
Adjective
  • Reminiscent in some ways of Sidney Lumet’s landmark first feature, 12 Angry Men, McCarthy finds an exciting way to shoot this tight room without ever being rote.
    — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Nothing terribly exciting is happening inside this three-bedroom, but there’s lots of light and a respectable amount of space, and the beach is just a few minutes away.
    — Nora Deligter, Curbed, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of exciting
Adjective
  • According to the staff and recurring guests, this era is cutting edge, and the Omni Homestead is facing a, totally, revitalizing and refreshing energy rebirth.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The blue accents offered a refreshing reprieve from the almost all-white base, breathing life into the silhouette.
    — Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of refreshing
Adjective
  • The spot urges a woman to vote for Hilton, who says its provocative humor is meant to reach Californians open to change despite his party affiliation.
    — Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026
  • The panel wrapped with a provocative audience question from an NBCUniversal exec who asked the panel what the best path forward for her company would be.
    — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of provocative
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
  • From this format emerges the tacit thesis that the Bicentennial cultural activities excelled at provoking critical, imaginative reflections on America’s past and future from artmakers and from ordinary citizens alike.
    — Anna Kornbluh, ARTnews.com, 7 Oct. 2026
  • This year, the event will once again feature panels, thought-provoking conversations, roundtables, networking opportunities and activations, along with the celebrated Billboard En Vivo performances.
    — Sigal Ratner-Arias, Billboard, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of provoking
Adjective
  • The rise since the era of zero rates has been breathtaking, with the share of income devoted to interest payments up by two-thirds.
    — Harvey Stober, CNBC, 4 Oct. 2026
  • And residents think of it as just another part of island life — a minor inconvenience for small-town community charm, breathtaking views and a break from the hustle of much of the rest of Southern California.
    — Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 3 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
  • This bold move would add instant credibility again and immediate buzz to the program while energizing the fans.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026
  • This represents the plasma hitting and passing through clumps of surrounding gas, energizing it.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of energizing

Browse Nearby Words

stimulates
stimulating
stimulation
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Stimulating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stimulating. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of inscrutable

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

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

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
name tags
Words Named After People Quiz Find out who’s behind "leotard," "morphine," an...
See All