1
as in to awaken
to cause to stop sleeping
the rooster's crow aroused me from my deep sleep
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to awake
to cease to be asleep
set the alarm so we would arouse at 5:00 a.m.
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to provoke
to rouse to strong feeling or action
the court's controversial decision aroused many to protest and to lobby the legislature for a constitutional amendment
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of arouse
The crux of the argument against displaying the hair at the Holocaust Museum in Washington was never entirely clear—the anxieties the idea aroused were hard to articulate.
—
Cutter Wood, Harper's Magazine, 28 Feb. 2025
The double agent Clive arouses Jake’s suspicion immediately, and Sheriff McDowell vouches for him despite being unable to distinguish an Irish accent from a Scottish one.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 6 Apr. 2025
Their sympathies can be aroused by the stories spun by protectionist politicians.
—David B. McGarry, Baltimore Sun, 30 Mar. 2025
Eight goals and two assists in 14 league matches before the winter break began in late December aroused increasing interest.
—Andy Naylor, The Athletic, 12 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for arouse
Cutter Wood, Harper's Magazine, 28 Feb. 2025
The double agent Clive arouses Jake’s suspicion immediately, and Sheriff McDowell vouches for him despite being unable to distinguish an Irish accent from a Scottish one.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 6 Apr. 2025
Their sympathies can be aroused by the stories spun by protectionist politicians.
—David B. McGarry, Baltimore Sun, 30 Mar. 2025
Eight goals and two assists in 14 league matches before the winter break began in late December aroused increasing interest.
—Andy Naylor, The Athletic, 12 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for arouse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arouse
Verb
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But the American people have been awakened to the poisonous influence the progressive left has and continues to have on American society.—
Chris Roemer,
Baltimore Sun,
8 May 2025
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Beans often have a very tough seed coat that prevents water from entering, and only when this is broken—by something such as wildfire heat, the acid of a bird’s stomach, a scalpel or sandpaper—can water enter and the seed awaken.—
Katarina Zimmer,
Smithsonian Magazine,
2 May 2025
Verb
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If the quarter-final triumph against Real Madrid had a dreamlike quality, this was a game in which Arsenal awoke to the harsh realities of the sharp end of the Champions League.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2025
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But the man living there read the letter and hurried her to a house where a woman called her Phuong and awoke an elderly man asleep on a couch.—
Jennifer Brookland,
Mercury News,
27 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The situation escalated when GUNTHER mentioned Goldberg's family, provoking the Hall of Famer to jump the security barricade.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 May 2025
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In years past, the school district’s funding request has provoked heated conversations about how much the county should fund.—
Rebecca Noel,
Charlotte Observer,
8 May 2025
Verb
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On the evening of Thursday, May 1, a Butte County, Calif. resident woke to the sound of a car horn.—
Shyla Watson,
People.com,
10 May 2025
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If no one is going to play to win, wake me up when season 50 starts.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
8 May 2025
Verb
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Saoirse Ronan and Florence Pugh fiercely lead the charge as March sisters Jo and Amy, but this is a total collaboration, from lush cinematography to a rousing score from Alexandre Desplat.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
EW.com,
10 May 2025
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Any of the rousing, engaging, and brilliant Idles concert performances on YouTube will explain it.—
Armond White,
National Review,
7 May 2025
Verb
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Goolsbee’s remarks suggest he’s encouraged by the trade truce with China, a separate 90-day pause on double-digit tariffs on other nations, and soft inflation readings for both March and April.—
Paul Davidson,
USA Today,
14 May 2025
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While strength training is their primary focus, Trainor enjoys encouraging Sabara to push himself physically.—
Samantha Stutsman,
People.com,
13 May 2025
Verb
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Aeration stimulates new growth to cover areas damaged by fairy rings.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
11 May 2025
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Zaria Court is designed to stimulate local economies, creating jobs not only in sports but also in surrounding sectors, from retail to hospitality.—
Sindiswa Mabunda,
Forbes.com,
8 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Arouse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arouse. Accessed 18 May. 2025.
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