stimulate
12 synonyms and 2 antonyms for stimulate, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To encourage activity, growth, or interest.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use stimulate
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
stimulate growth
stimulate the economy
stimulate interest
Etymology
From Latin stimulatus, past participle of stimulare ("to goad or urge on"), from stimulus ("a sharp point or goad").
Full origin of stimulate →Frequently asked questions
What does “stimulate” mean?
The word “stimulate” means to encourage activity, growth, or interest. In plain terms, to spark activity, growth, or interest in something.
How do you pronounce “stimulate”?
“Stimulate” is pronounced STIHM-yuu-layt (/ˈstɪm.jəˌleɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “stimulate” in a sentence?
Here is “stimulate” used in a sentence: “Lower interest rates are meant to stimulate the economy.”
What part of speech is “stimulate”?
“Stimulate” is a verb.
Where does the word “stimulate” come from?
The word “stimulate” comes from Latin. From Latin stimulatus, past participle of stimulare ("to goad or urge on"), from stimulus ("a sharp point or goad").
Is “stimulate” a common word?
“Stimulate” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “stimulate” have?
“Stimulate” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to encourage activity, growth, or interest.
What is the difference between stimulate and motivate?
Stimulate means to encourage activity, growth, or interest, and often applies to processes, systems, or the body, such as stimulating the economy or a nerve response. Motivate specifically refers to giving someone a personal reason or desire to act. Stimulate has a broader, more physical or systemic reach, while motivate is centered on individual will.
