stimulate

Definitions

stimulus was the herdsman's pointed stick for driving cattle; -ate makes it a verb. To stimulate is to apply that goad — poke something reluctant into motion. The image survives everywhere: stimulate the economy (poke it into growth), stimulate a nerve, stimulate debate. There's always something passive being prodded awake.

Common Collocations

• 1.stimulate growth促进增长
• 2.stimulate the economy刺激经济
• 3.stimulate demand刺激需求
• 4.stimulate interest激发兴趣
• 5.stimulate the brain刺激大脑

Example Sentences

• 1.

  Lower interest rates are meant to stimulate spending.

• 2.

  A good teacher knows how to stimulate curiosity.

• 3.

  Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system.

Easily Confused

stimulate vs encourage — stimulate works like a physical poke: it triggers activity or a response (stimulate growth, stimulate nerves), often impersonal. encourage is about giving someone confidence or support to do something (encourage students). You stimulate an economy but encourage a person.