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Definitions

shot in the arm

ADJECTIVE
curative
Synonyms
STRONGEST
corrective healthful invigorating medicinal remedial salutary therapeutic
STRONG
curing pick-me-up restorative tonic
WEAK
alleviative beneficial helpful medicable medicative remedying sanative vulnerary what the doctor ordered wholesome
Antonyms
STRONGEST
damaging harmful hurtful injurious
WEAK
hurting painful
NOUN
aid
Synonyms
STRONGEST
assistance benefit care compensation cooperation gift relief service subsidy treatment
STRONG
advancement advice advocacy alleviation allowance assist attention backing backup benefaction benevolence bounty charity comfort deliverance encouragement endowment favor furtherance giving guidance hand handout lift ministration ministry patronage promotion reinforcement rescue reward salvation sustenance
WEAK
leg up
Antonyms
STRONGEST
damage harm hindrance hurt injury loss penalty stoppage
STRONG
disfavor ill will malevolence opposition silence stop taking unkindness
WEAK
blockage impediment obstruction
NOUN
boost
Synonyms
STRONGEST
aid assistance improvement lift support
STRONG
backup buildup hand handout help leg praise promotion
WEAK
goose helping hand leg up
Antonyms
STRONGEST
harm hindrance hurt injury stop
STRONG
check obstruction silence
WEAK
blow decrease discouragement setback
NOUN
commendation
Synonyms
STRONGEST
encouragement
STRONG
PR acclamation approbation approval award bouquet credit encomium honor panegyric pay plum points posy puff rave recommendation stroke stroking tribute
WEAK
brownie points good opinion pat on the back pat on the head pumping up
Antonyms
STRONG
condemnation criticism disapproval dishonor disrespect ill repute
WEAK
blame censure reprimand
NOUN
encouragement
Synonyms
STRONGEST
assistance backing cheer comfort confidence consolation faith fortitude incentive inspiration optimism reassurance relief reward stimulation stimulus
STRONG
advance advocacy aid animation boost easement favor firmness helpfulness hope incitement invigoration promotion refreshment softening succor supporting trust urging
WEAK
consoling enlivening inspiritment reassuring relieving solacing
Antonyms
STRONGEST
annoyance discouragement distrust doubt gloom hindrance hurt injury
STRONG
disbelief impediment
WEAK
denunciation derision deterrent
NOUN
incitation
Synonyms
STRONG
bang boost catalyst cause charge encouragement fillip fireworks flash goad impetus impulse incentive incitement inducement instigation invitation kick motivation motive propellant provocation push spur stimulant stimulation sting trigger turnon urging
WEAK
eye-opener piquing
Antonyms
STRONG
block deterrent discouragement hindrance prevention
NOUN
lift
Synonyms
STRONGEST
boost comfort encouragement reassurance relief
STRONG
assist assistance hand pick-me-up succor support
WEAK
leg up secours
Antonyms
STRONGEST
discouragement hindrance hurt injury
WEAK
harm
NOUN
pick-me-up
Synonyms
STRONG
analeptic catalyst drug energizer incentive motivation motive restorative spur stimulus tonic upper
WEAK
reviver
Antonyms
STRONG
block discouragement hindrance
NOUN
stimulant
Synonyms
STRONGEST
catalyst drug impetus stimulus
STRONG
analeptic bracer energizer excitant goad impulse incentive incitation incitement motivation motive pick-me-up restorative spur tonic upper
WEAK
reviver spark plug
Antonyms
STRONGEST
block hindrance
STRONG
deterrent discouragement
WEAK
depressant
NOUN
stimulator
Synonyms
WEAK
bang boost catalyst cause charge encouragement eye-opener fillip fireworks flash goad impetus impulse incentive incitation incitement inducement instigation invitation kick motivation motive piquing prod propellant push spur stimulant stimulation sting turnon urging
NOUN
stimulus
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 turnon urging
WEAK
eye-opener piquing
Antonyms
STRONGEST
block discouragement hindrance
STRONG
deterrent
WEAK
tranquilizer
NOUN
tonic
Synonyms
STRONG
analeptic boost bracer conditioner cordial drug fillip invigorator pick-me-up pickup refresher restorative stimulant strengthener
WEAK
livener roborant

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.

The war might also necessitate a boost to fiscal spending, which could weigh on bonds while delivering a shot in the arm to the broader economy, at least in the short term.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 15, 2026

“It’s a big shot in the arm to all of us who are working to recover salmon across the state.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 12, 2026

"He's pushed me a lot, all of us are proud of him, especially from what he's been through, getting shot in the arm," says Umar.

From BBC • Dec. 16, 2025

The aid will be a shot in the arm to soybean farmers, who have faced devastating financial losses this year.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 8, 2025

Franz Wächter, alongside him, has a shot in the arm which didn’t look too bad at first.

From "All Quiet on the Western Front: A Novel" by Erich Maria Remarque