stimulant

noun

stim·u·lant ˈstim-yə-lənt

Synonyms of stimulant

: an agent (such as a drug) that produces a temporary increase of the functional activity or efficiency of an organism or any of its parts

: stimulus

: an alcoholic beverage

—not used technically

stimulant adjective

Examples of stimulant in a Sentence

The movie was a stimulant to discussion. the relaxed zoning regulations should serve as a stimulant for development in the area

Recent Examples on the Web

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.

Cases where a patient is malnourished are challenging, because research has shown putting in a feeding tube or giving them appetite stimulants doesn’t improve their outcomes, Lee said. — Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 9 Aug. 2026 Current therapies, stimulants and sodium oxybates, carry risk of misuse, and patients still feel sleepy while taking them. — Ed Silverman, STAT, 6 Aug. 2026 Meanwhile, 18-to-25-year-olds saw declines in the use of nicotine products, tobacco, cigarette, alcohol and binge drinking in the past month as well as the use of illicit drugs and prescription stimulants or opioids within the past year. — Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026 Some people use it for its stimulant or pain-relieving effects, though federal health officials have repeatedly warned about its safety. — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for stimulant

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1728, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of stimulant was circa 1728

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

stimulancy

stimulant

stimulate

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Stimulant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stimulant. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

stimulant

noun

stim·u·lant ˈstim-yə-lənt

: something (as a drug) that temporarily increases the activity or efficiency of the body or one of its parts

a heart stimulant

: stimulus sense 1

stimulant adjective

Medical Definition

stimulant

noun

stim·u·lant ˈstim-yə-lənt

: an agent (as a drug) that produces a temporary increase of the functional activity or efficiency of an organism or any of its parts

: stimulus sense 2

stimulant

noun

Synonyms of stimulant

Examples of stimulant in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Medical Definition

More from Merriam-Webster on stimulant

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

zeugma

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Words of the Week - Aug. 14

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes