English Dictionary
Definition of “stimulate”
stimulate (ˈstɪmjʊˌleɪt
)
Definitions
verb
- (tr; usually passive) to fill (a person) with ideas or enthusiasm ⇒
he was stimulated by the challenge
- (tr) physiology to excite (a nerve, organ, etc) with a stimulus
- to encourage (something) to start or progress further ⇒
a cut in interest rates should help stimulate economic recovery
Alternative Forms
ˈstimulable adjective ˌstimuˈlation noun ˈstimulative adjective noun ˈstimuˌlator ˈstimuˌlater noun Word Origin
C16: from Latin stimulāre; see stimulant
Synonyms
View thesaurus entry
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encourage,
inspire,
prompt,
galvanize,
fire,
fan,
urge,
spur,
provoke,
turn on,
arouse,
animate,
rouse,
prod,
quicken,
inflame,
incite,
instigate,
goad,
whet,
impel,
foment,
gee up,
Usage examples
More than ever Belfast needs bands that can stimulate , not simulate.
David Cavanagh, MUSIC FOR BOYS (2003)Then, to stimulate antibody production, they were injected with cold virus modified to carry these proteins.
New Scientist (2003)"He also said cutting taxes isn't the most effective way to stimulate the economy in the short term.
Globe and Mail (2003)At present the research is testing various plastics to see which is best to stimulate growth of eye cells.
Liverpool Daily Post and Echo (2005)We can anticipate that our system would stimulate a lively black market in unmonitored goods.
George Monbiot, THE AGE OF CONSENT (2003)
