stimuli

[stim-yuh-lahy] / ˈstɪm yəˌlaɪ /

NOUN

provocation

Synonyms

STRONGEST

catalyst encouragement fillip impetus incentive motivation stimulant stimulation

STRONG

bang boost cause charge fireworks flash goad impulse incitation incitement inducement instigation invitation kick motive propellant push spur sting turn-on urging

WEAK

eye-opener piquing shot in the arm

Antonyms

STRONGEST

block discouragement hindrance

STRONG

deterrent

WEAK

tranquilizer

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

At the hospital, one of the officers requested that Cervantes submit to a “subjective sobriety test” that included measuring her eye’s response to stimuli, according to the complaint.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2026

But I love the answer that they gave Zosia to give: You can’t possibly take in all of the feelings and the stimuli that the whole world is having right now.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 24, 2025

She had tried traditional therapy, as well as interventions like eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy, where a patient is asked to recall traumatic events while experiencing auditory, visual, or tactile stimuli.

From Slate • Dec. 18, 2025

According to Ährlund-Richter, ACA may help the brain focus on potentially meaningful visual details as arousal rises, while ORB may act to reduce attention to distracting or overly strong stimuli.

From Science Daily • Nov. 30, 2025

We, as human beings, are not simply organisms or animals responding to stimuli.

From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander