: a self-stimulatory behavior that is marked by a repetitive action or movement of the body (such as repeatedly tapping on objects or the ears, snapping the fingers, blinking the eyes, rocking from side to side, or grunting) and is typically associated with certain conditions (such as autism spectrum disorder)
Stimming is seen by many therapists as a protective response to less predictable environmental stimuli that some can be overly sensitive to.—
Kayla Jane Jeffers
Kayla Jane JeffersWhen a person with autism engages in self-stimulatory behaviors such as rocking, pacing, aligning or spinning objects, or hand-flapping, people around him may be confused, offended, or even frightened. Also known as "stimming," these behaviors are often characterized by rigid, repetitive movements and vocal sounds.—Teka J. Harris
Teka J. HarrisSubtler forms of stimming such as tapping a pencil, biting one's nails or twirling one's hair are common in most people's behavior patterns.—Megan Sheet
Megan Sheet
stim
intransitive verb
stimmed; stimming; stims
If you've ever tapped your fingers against a counter while you were waiting, congratulations, you've stimmed. Autistic people tend to stim more often and more intensely. Stimming helps us process the sensory input we're gathering, stay calm and grounded in an overwhelming universe, and express joy, distress, or whatever we might be feeling.
—Julia Bascom
Julia Bascom
Examples of stimming in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Along with the narrative of her adventures, Harriet provides insight into her autism, explaining some of the behaviors autistic people exhibit, like stimming and sensory sensitivities.
—Sara Rowe Mount, Parents, 15 Oct. 2025
The envelope would notify police that the driver is autistic and provide guidance for how to handle certain behaviors, such as stimming.
—State House News Service, Boston Herald, 26 July 2025
For example, stimming, or self-stimulating behavior, is associated with people who have ADHD or ASD.
—Pamela Furr, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
Extreme responses to sensory inputs can include trigger stimming (repetitive actions), meltdowns, or self-injurious behaviors.
4.
—Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 21 Apr. 2025
There were also marginally significant improvements in tantrums, stimming/perseveration, and cognition.
—Nick Lavars, New Atlas, 21 Apr. 2025
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Sara Rowe Mount, Parents, 15 Oct. 2025
The envelope would notify police that the driver is autistic and provide guidance for how to handle certain behaviors, such as stimming.
—State House News Service, Boston Herald, 26 July 2025
For example, stimming, or self-stimulating behavior, is associated with people who have ADHD or ASD.
—Pamela Furr, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
Extreme responses to sensory inputs can include trigger stimming (repetitive actions), meltdowns, or self-injurious behaviors.
4.
—Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 21 Apr. 2025
There were also marginally significant improvements in tantrums, stimming/perseveration, and cognition.
—Nick Lavars, New Atlas, 21 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stimming.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stimming. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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