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

Ethereum, the world’s second biggest cryptocurrency, also got a shot in the arm.

From Barron's • Feb. 26, 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

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

shot in the arm

Example Sentences

Related Words