A type of substance that increases activity or energy in the body or mind
Examples:
Green tea acts as a mild stimulant, enhancing alertness.The coach used music as a stimulant for the team's morale.Bright colors in a room can work as a visual stimulant.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Stimulus
/ˈstɪmjələs/
Something that provokes a response or increases activity
Examples:
Often, thoughts are triggered due to external stimuli.A good book can serve as a stimulus for creativity.The aroma of the bakery acted as a pleasant stimulus.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
This word has no antonyms
Ways to tell them apart:
A stimulant is often a substance, while a stimulus can be any event or factor that provokes a response.
Think of a stimulant like caffeine, which energizes you; a stimulus is more like a bell ringing that causes you to react.
Stimulus is broader and can be applied in both physiological and psychological contexts, whereas a stimulant is specifically used mostly in medical or biological contexts.
Remember that stimulants are agents that have a direct effect, whereas a stimulus triggers a broader reaction.
Stimulus can be something like light in an experiment, while a stimulant is like a drug you might take.