stimulate
Rouse to action
To stimulate is to rouse to activity or heightened response.
Coffee stimulates the nervous system.
A tax cut might stimulate the economy.
A provocative question stimulates discussion.
The word suggests prompting something into greater action rather than creating it from nothing: The documentary stimulated my interest in marine biology.
Stimulating conversation engages the mind; a stimulating environment promotes growth or creativity.
Urge forward with support
prompt · incite · empower · uplift · boost · reinforce · foster · nurture
Supply with vitality
- invigorateTo fill with energy
- vitalizeMake lively again
- revitalizeRestore strength and vitality
- rejuvenateRestore youthful vigor
refresh · enliven · animate · exhilarate · vivify · pep up · boost · recharge
What initiates action
- causeWhat produces an effect
- sparkTiny fiery particle
- induceCause or persuade
- precipitateHeadlong and reckless
catalyze · initiate · prompt · generate · produce · evoke · elicit · engender
Stimulate strong emotion
- arouseTo stimulate or excite
- thrillSurge of intense excitement
- titillateMildly arouse or excite
- tantalizeTease with unreachable things
tease · entice · allure · sensual · erotic · provocative · seductive · aphrodisiac
Incite a response
- irritateCause mild anger
- antagonizeIncite hostility in
- aggravateMake more severe
- annoyCause mild irritation
goad · pique · needle · vex · inflame · agitate · nettle · rile
Methylxanthine stimulant compound
- adrenalineEmergency response hormone
- dopamineReward-linked neural messenger
- cortisolAdrenal steroid regulating stress
- neurotransmitterSynaptic chemical messenger
receptor · nerve · sensory · reflex · response · amphetamine · nicotine · metabolism
Create motivation through rewards
- boostUpward push or increase
- spurIncentive or heel device
- growthIncrease in size
- investmentDeploying capital for returns
spending · demand · subsidize · inject · bailout · quantitative easing · fiscal · monetary
Actively participate or connect
- challengeTest of ability
- curiosityDesire to learn
- interestAttention, stake, or fee
- thoughtMental concept or reflection
imagination · creativity · discussion · debate · inquiry · learning · brainstorm · ideation
encourage
Urge forward with support
urge · prompt · incite · empower · uplift · boost · reinforce · foster · nurture · galvanize
energize
Supply with vitality
- invigorateTo fill with energy
- vitalizeMake lively again
- revitalizeRestore strength and vitality
rejuvenate · refresh · enliven · animate · exhilarate · vivify · pep up · boost · recharge · renew
trigger
What initiates action
precipitate · catalyze · initiate · prompt · generate · produce · evoke · elicit · engender · instigate
excite
Stimulate strong emotion
tantalize · tease · entice · allure · sensual · erotic · provocative · seductive · aphrodisiac · foreplay
provoke
Incite a response
- irritateCause mild anger
- antagonizeIncite hostility in
- aggravateMake more severe
annoy · goad · pique · needle · vex · inflame · agitate · nettle · rile · irk
caffeine
Methylxanthine stimulant compound
- adrenalineEmergency response hormone
- dopamineReward-linked neural messenger
- cortisolAdrenal steroid regulating stress
neurotransmitter · receptor · nerve · sensory · reflex · response · amphetamine · nicotine · metabolism · circulation
incentivize
Create motivation through rewards
investment · spending · demand · subsidize · inject · bailout · quantitative easing · fiscal · monetary · recovery
engage
Actively participate or connect
thought · imagination · creativity · discussion · debate · inquiry · learning · brainstorm · ideation · ponder
stimulatesedate
Calm and unhurried
calm · tranquilize · depress · deaden · anesthetize
stimulatediscourage
Diminish someone's confidence
dishearten · dispirit · demoralize · deter · demotivate
- electrical stimulationCurrent applied to body
- mental stimulationEngagement of cognitive faculties
- sexual stimulationPhysical acts causing arousal
- ovarian stimulationHormone-induced egg maturation
- sensory stimulationInput activating perceptual systems
- visual stimulationInput that engages sight
stimulating, stimulated, stimulant, stimulation, stimulates, unstimulating, stimulants, stimulator, overstimulated