Antonyms for the phrase "brought a standstill" include words and phrases like stimulated, initiated, invigorated, sparked, activated, accelerated, energized, and propelled. These words all connote movement, change, or progress, the exact opposite of a standstill. Rather than pausing progress, these actions speed it up, motivating people towards greater productivity and innovation. For example, a motivational speaker might invigorate a team with charged, exciting pep talks. Conversely, a heavy workload or bureaucratic process might bring operations to a standstill, halting progress or inducing frustration. By identifying and utilizing antonyms for "brought a standstill," we can work towards proactivity and momentum, pushing forward towards our goals.