stimuli

[stim-yuh-lahy] / ˈstɪm jəˌlaɪ /

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.

See Examples For:

stimuli

They employ all manners of external stimuli and self-optimization techniques to approach even a fraction of what your heart is naturally capable of.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2026

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

Experiments using visual stimuli could help identify which brain regions are required for conscious perception.

From Science Daily ● Feb. 4, 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

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

From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander