stimulate

Verb
Synonyms: exciteinducecausehavegetmakeshakeshake upstirarousebraceenergize

WordNet 3.0

Verb (7)

  1. act as a stimulant“The book stimulated her imagination”“This play stimulates”Synonyms: excite
  2. cause to do; cause to act in a specified manner“The ads induced me to buy a VCR”“My children finally got me to buy a computer”“My wife made me buy a new sofa”Synonyms: inducecausehavegetmake
  3. stir the feelings, emotions, or peace of“These stories shook the community”“the civil war shook the country”Synonyms: shakeshake upexcitestir
  4. cause to be alert and energetic“Coffee and tea stimulate me”“This herbal infusion doesn't stimulate”Synonyms: arousebraceenergizeenergiseperk up
  5. cause to occur rapidly“the infection precipitated a high fever and allergic reactions”Synonyms: inducerushhasten
  6. stir feelings in“stimulate my appetite”“excite the audience”“stir emotions”Synonyms: excitestir
  7. provide the needed stimulus forSynonyms: provoke
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Stimulate \Stim"u*late\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Stimulated; p. pr. & vb. n. Stimulating.] [L. stimulatus, p. p. of stimulare to prick or goad on, to incite, fr. stimulus a goad. See Stimulus.]

1.To excite as if with a goad; to excite, rouse, or animate, to action or more vigorous exertion by some pungent motive or by persuasion; as, to stimulate one by the hope of reward, or by the prospect of glory. [1913 Webster]

To excite and stimulate us thereunto.— Dr. J. Scott.[1913 Webster]

2.(Physiol.) To excite; to irritate; especially, to excite the activity of (a nerve or an irritable muscle), as by electricity. [1913 Webster]

Syn: To animate; incite; encourage; impel; urge; instigate; irritate; exasperate; incense. [1913 Webster]

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