1. stimulate, excite, affect, impact, bear upon, bear on, touch on, touch
usage: act as a stimulant; "The book stimulated her imagination"; "This play stimulates"
2. induce, stimulate, cause, have, get, make
usage: cause to do; cause to act in a specified manner; "The ads induced me to buy a VCR"; "My children finally got me to buy a computer"; "My wife made me buy a new sofa"