arouse

verb

\ ə-ˈrau̇z

aroused; arousing

Definition of arouse

1 : to awaken from sleep was aroused from a deep sleep by a loud noise

2 : to stimulate to action or to bodily readiness for activity : excite a book that has aroused debate

3 : to excite (someone) sexually : to cause sexual arousal in (someone) … girls whose perfume scent frightened him and aroused him.— Elizabeth Berg

intransitive verb

: to awake from sleep : stir

Other Words from arouse Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about arouse

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Synonyms & Antonyms for arouse

Synonyms

awake, awaken, knock up [British], rouse, wake, waken

Antonyms

lull

Examples of arouse in a Sentence

The report aroused a great deal of public interest. The husky sound of her voice could always arouse him. Their proposal is certain to arouse the opposition.

Recent Examples on the Web

Artistic director Mike Ryan is amusingly fuming and preening as local Antiphola’s jealous husband Adriano, and Madeline Wall is always stretching and working out as Adriano’s sister Luciana, aghast yet aroused at the other Antiphola’s advances. — Sam Hurwitt, The Mercury News, "Review: Shakespeare’s twins, Jane Austen romance delight in Santa Cruz," 31 July 2019 But the sheer scale of Oki's launch might arouse the FDA's ire. — Laura Reiley, Anchorage Daily News, "CBD-infused food and beverages are still illegal under US law. So why are they everywhere?," 25 June 2019 The compulsions are so strong that one serial killer got aroused just by looking at open windows. — Tribune News Service, oregonlive.com, "The Man in the Window: First the burglaries; then the dogs started dying (Part Two)," 22 June 2019 But the sheer scale of Oki’s launch might arouse the FDA’s ire. — The Washington Post, Twin Cities, "CBD-infused food and beverages are still illegal under US law. So why are they everywhere?," 24 June 2019 But the sheer scale of Oki’s launch might arouse the FDA’s ire. — The Washington Post, The Mercury News, "CBD is still illegal in the US. So why is it everywhere?," 24 June 2019 But the sheer scale of Oki’s launch might arouse the FDA’s ire. — Laura Reiley, Washington Post, "CBD-infused food and beverages are still illegal under U.S. law. So why are they everywhere?," 24 June 2019 A few minutes earlier the group — tan robes, burgundy hoods, shirts with meandering yellow streaks — had done a hooting lap around the Grand Central concourse, arousing cell-phone cameras, and appetites. — Steven Zeitchik, Washington Post, "This year, Joey Chestnut marched on New York with a hot dog entourage," 4 July 2019 Markel said much of what's happening now is reminiscent of the 19th Century, when a swelling number of immigrants aroused concerns about the potential spread of infectious diseases. — Susan Scutti, CNN, "'Crowding diseases' threaten migrant children held in US border protection facilities, expert says," 24 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'arouse.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.