| Main Entry: | |
| Part of Speech: | noun |
| Definition: | stimulus |
| Synonyms: | bang*, boost, catalyst, cause, charge, encouragement, eye-opener, fillip, fireworks*, flash*, goad, impetus, impulse, incentive, incitement, inducement, instigation, invitation, kick*, motivation, motive, piquing, propellant, provocation, push*, shot in the arm, spur, stimulant, stimulation, sting*, trigger, turn-on, urging |
| Main Entry: | goad |
| Part of Speech: | noun |
| Definition: | stimulus |
| Synonyms: | catalyst, compulsion, desire, drive, impetus, impulse, impulsion, incentive, incitation, incitement, irritation, lash, lust, motivation, passion, pressure, prod, spur, urge, whip, zeal |
| Antonyms: | deterrent, discouragement, diversion, restraint |
| Main Entry: | impetus |
| Part of Speech: | noun |
| Definition: | stimulus, force |
| Synonyms: | catalyst, energy, goad, impulse, impulsion, incentive, incitation, incitement, momentum, motivation, power, pressure, push, spur, stimulant, urge |
| Antonyms: | block, check, hindrance |
| Main Entry: | impulse |
| Part of Speech: | noun |
| Definition: | drive, resolve |
| Synonyms: | actuation, appeal, bent, caprice, catalyst, desire, disposition, excitant, extemporization, fancy, feeling, flash*, goad, hunch, impellent, impulsion, incitation, incitement, inclination, influence, inspiration, instinct, itch, lash, lust, mind, motivation, motive, notion, passion, spontaneity, spur, thought, urge, vagary, whim, whimsy, wish, yen |
| Main Entry: | motivation |
| Part of Speech: | noun |
| Definition: | ambition, inspiration |
| Synonyms: | action, actuation, angle, catalyst, desire, disposition, drive, encouragement, fire, get up and go, gimmick, goose, hunger, impetus, impulse, impulsion, incentive, incitation, incitement, inclination, inducement, instigation, interest, kick*, motive, persuasion, predetermination, predisposition, provocation, push, reason, right stuff, spur, stimulus, suggestion, wish |
| Antonyms: | depression, discouragement |
| Main Entry: | spur |
| Part of Speech: | noun |
| Definition: | incitement, stimulus |
| Synonyms: | activation, actuation, catalyst, excitant, goad, goose, impetus, impulse, incentive, incitation, inducement, motivation, motive, needle, prick, stimulant, trigger, turn-on, urge |
| Antonyms: | curb, hindrance |
| Main Entry: | stimulant |
| Part of Speech: | noun |
| Definition: | substance that invigorates |
| Synonyms: | analeptic, bracer, catalyst, drug, energizer, excitant, goad, impetus, impulse, incentive, incitation, incitement, motivation, motive, pick-me-up, restorative, reviver, shot in the arm, spark plug, spur, stimulus, tonic, upper |
| Notes: | a stimulant is a drug; a stimulus is anything encouraging an action (but rarely is it a drug) |
| Antonyms: | depressant |
| Main Entry: | stimulus |
| Part of Speech: | noun |
| Definition: | provocation |
| Synonyms: | bang*, boost, catalyst, cause, charge, encouragement, eye-opener, fillip, fireworks*, flash*, goad, impetus, impulse, incentive, incitation, incitement, inducement, instigation, invitation, kick*, motivation, motive, piquing, propellant, push, shot in the arm, spur, stimulant, stimulation, sting*, turn-on, urging |
| Antonyms: | discouragement, hindrance, tranquilizer |
| Main Entry: | incitement |
| Part of Speech: | noun |
| Definition: | motive |
| Synonyms: | incentive, incitation, instigation, provocation, stimulus |