stimulate
gb/stˈɪmjəlˌeɪt/ us/stˈɪmjəlˌeɪt/
B1
English
~ 3600
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B1
action
1
Encourage interest or activity
To make someone or something more active or interested.
Usage pattern:
to stimulate [someone/something] to [do something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'stimulate' with 'simulate'. 'Stimulate' means to encourage activity, while 'simulate' means to copy or imitate something.
Synonyms
encourage (More general, can be emotional or moral support without increasing activity directly.)
|
motivate (Focuses on giving someone a reason to act, often internal drive.)
Antonyms
discourage (To make someone lose confidence or enthusiasm.)
|
suppress (To hold back or reduce activity or expression.)
Collocations
stimulate growth
|stimulate interest
|stimulate the economy
|stimulate discussion
|stimulate demand
Themes
emotions
|education
|business
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The teacher used games to stimulate the students' curiosity.
- The government lowered taxes to stimulate the economy.
- The documentary was made to stimulate public debate about climate change.
- This new policy aims to stimulate innovation in technology.
- His speech was meant to stimulate interest in the project.
Learner examples
- The teacher asked questions to stimulate thinking.
- The new park will stimulate tourism in the city.
- Music can stimulate children to learn.
- The game will stimulate teamwork.
- Books can stimulate your imagination.
Verb
B2
action
2
Cause physical reaction
To make a part of the body work faster or harder.
Usage pattern:
to stimulate [a body part/process]
Common mistake:
Learners may use 'stimulate' instead of 'stir' when talking about mixing liquids; these are unrelated meanings.
Synonyms
activate (More general; can refer to machines, systems, or processes.)
|
arouse (Can have physical meaning but also emotional; 'stimulate' is more clinical here.)
Antonyms
depress (In medical terms, to slow down or reduce activity of a body function.)
Collocations
stimulate the brain
|stimulate nerve endings
|stimulate appetite
|stimulate blood flow
Themes
health
|science
|body
Examples
- Caffeine can stimulate the central nervous system.
- The treatment is designed to stimulate hair growth.
- Bright light stimulates the brain and makes it harder to sleep.
- Massage can stimulate blood circulation.
- Spicy food can stimulate the appetite.
Learner examples
- Exercise will stimulate your heart.
- Light stimulates the eyes.
- Sugar can stimulate energy for a short time.
- This drug will stimulate the nerves in your hand.
Verb
B1
action
3
Encourage growth or development
To help something grow or develop.
Usage pattern:
to stimulate [growth/development]
Synonyms
promote (Broader; can mean publicize or advance in rank as well as encourage growth.)
|
boost (More informal; often used for quick increases rather than gradual development.)
Antonyms
hinder (To make progress slower or more difficult.)
|
stifle (To hold back development completely.)
Collocations
stimulate economic growth
|stimulate plant growth
|stimulate innovation
Themes
business
|science
|education
|work
Examples
- The fertilizer will stimulate plant growth.
- Lower interest rates are expected to stimulate the housing market.
- The new training program is designed to stimulate innovation among employees.
Learner examples
- Water stimulates plant growth.
- The new law will stimulate business.
- Good teachers stimulate learning.
Grammar
Dictionary form
stimulate
IPA
GB/stˈɪmjəlˌeɪt/
US/stˈɪmjəlˌeɪt/
Syllables & stress
stim - u - late (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (stim)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: stimulate
- 3rd Person Singular: stimulates
- Present Participle: stimulating
- Past: stimulated
Word family
Forms
stimulates
verb
stimulating
verb
stimulated
verb
Core family
stimulation
noun B2
stimulus
noun C1
Related words
stimulant
noun C1
Negative and opposite forms
unstimulating
adjective
Advanced or less common
stimulative
adjective
stimulator
noun
Expressions
stimulate growth
1/stˈɪmjəlˌeɪt ɡɹˈoʊθ/
fixed phrase
Encourage increase or development
To help something grow bigger, better, or faster.
Examples
- The new fertilizer will stimulate growth in crops.
- Investment in education can stimulate growth in skilled workers.
stimulate interest
1/stˈɪmjəlˌeɪt ˈɪntɚˌɛst/
fixed phrase
Encourage curiosity or involvement
To make people curious about something and want to know more.
Examples
- The book’s title is designed to stimulate interest among young readers.
- The campaign aims to stimulate interest in recycling.
stimulate the economy
1/stˈɪmjəlˌeɪt ðə ɪkˈɑnəmi/
fixed phrase
Encourage economic activity and growth
To make a country’s economy more active and growing.
Examples
- The government hopes that lower taxes will stimulate the economy.
- Tourism has helped stimulate the economy in rural areas.