stimulus

noun

ˈstim-yə-ləs How to pronounce stimulus (audio)
Definition of stimulusnext
as in incentive
something that arouses action or activity seeing a Broadway play for the first time was the stimulus for her career in the theater

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 stimulus Against this backdrop, the K has been widening as the cost of living soared and pandemic-era stimulus fizzled. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026 All the while the fMRI churned on, peering through the dogs’ skulls into the brain below and looking for the areas that lit up as a result of the visual stimuli. — Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 10 Aug. 2026 Therefore, government spending is presented as detrimental to economic growth, not a stimulus, and GDP figures are criticized for double-counting. — John Tamny, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026 The government stimulus, however, threatened to deepen the fiscal challenges faced by Japan, whose public debt stands at more than 200% of gross domestic product. — Max Zahn, ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stimulus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stimulus
  1. incentive
  2. impetus
  3. encouragement
  4. motivation
Noun
  • There has been no confirmation from SpaceX or Louisiana officials … But earlier this year the Louisiana Legislature passed a package of incentives for aerospace companies, including liability protections and property tax breaks.
    — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Marketers need to treat the student as the primary decision-maker, using tangible incentives, student-friendly pricing, and direct campus engagement to lower the risk of trying a new product and justify its value well past move-in day.
    — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of incentive
Noun
  • The impetus for this work, according to the researchers, is that drug-resistant bacteria are rife and growing.
    — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 7 Aug. 2026
  • For many, discovering quaint antique shops is the impetus for hopping in the car and taking a leisurely drive.
    — Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of impetus
Noun
  • Officials are asking residents to continue to pray and send words of encouragement and support to those affected by the flooding.
    — Dan Raby, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Spacing of races will be important as encouragement for participation in the six-race series in a five-month span.
    — Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of encouragement
Noun
  • Essential California sat down with Ben Orbison, FOLAR’s director of strategic communications, and spoke about festival highlights and motivations.
    — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Cross-functional access can then expand gradually, creating new opportunities while maintaining focus and motivation for growth.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of motivation

Browse Nearby Words

stimuli
stimulus
sting
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Cite this Entry

“Stimulus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stimulus. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on stimulus

Nglish: Translation of stimulus for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about stimulus

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