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.

Gallio and his team found that a key sensory protein involved in detecting harmful stimuli is much less responsive in snow flies than in other insects.

From Science Daily • Mar. 26, 2026

By encoding these digital patterns within the hydrogel, the researchers can program how the smart skin reacts to different stimuli.

From Science Daily • Feb. 6, 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

The meeting lasts thirty more minutes, during which time I do not speak or move or in any way respond to stimuli.

From "Will Grayson, Will Grayson" by John Green and David Levithan