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Stimulant - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

A stimulant is a substance or activity that increases alertness, energy, or attention. Common examples include caffeine and certain medications used to treat ADHD. Stimulants temporarily boost mental or physical function.

stimulant

/ˈstɪmjələnt/ /ˈstɪmjʊlənt/

Definition:

A substance that raises activity levels in the body or mind, often increasing alertness or energy.

Synonyms:

energizer, booster, upper, activator

Part of Speech:

noun, adjective

Antonyms:

depressant, sedative, relaxant

Common Collocations:

caffeine stimulant, stimulant effect, stimulant medication, natural stimulant

Derivatives:

stimulate, stimulation, stimulating

Usage Tips:

Use "stimulant" to describe substances like caffeine or medications that enhance physical or mental activity; avoid overgeneralizing to all energizing things.

Common Phrases:

pick-me-up, energy booster, performance enhancer

Etymology:

Derived from Latin "stimulare," meaning to goad or urge forward; entered English in the early 18th century.

Examples:

  • 1. Coffee is a common stimulant many people drink in the morning.
  • 2. Doctors sometimes prescribe stimulants for attention disorders like ADHD.
  • 3. Too much stimulant use can lead to sleep problems and anxiety.
  • 4. Energy drinks contain high levels of stimulants such as caffeine and taurine.

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