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.
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
And each movement aroused an urge to move in the woman lying above, as if an avalanche of imperceptible but palpable vibrations had been triggered.
—
Literary Hub, 7 Apr. 2026
There, the tortoise became visibly aroused seeing another tortoise.
—Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 4 Apr. 2026
The gobbling box will often arouse an old tom that nothing else can stir.
—Charles Elliott, Outdoor Life, 2 Apr. 2026
The harder a person tries to force sleep, the more aroused the brain becomes, the more elusive sleep becomes.
—Rabbi Bruce D. Forman, Sun Sentinel, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for arouse
Literary Hub, 7 Apr. 2026
There, the tortoise became visibly aroused seeing another tortoise.
—Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 4 Apr. 2026
The gobbling box will often arouse an old tom that nothing else can stir.
—Charles Elliott, Outdoor Life, 2 Apr. 2026
The harder a person tries to force sleep, the more aroused the brain becomes, the more elusive sleep becomes.
—Rabbi Bruce D. Forman, Sun Sentinel, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for arouse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arouse
Verb
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Jasper had awakened, and Adele set him down.—
Jonathan Franzen,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
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On The Charmings, Snow White and husband Prince Charming (Christopher Rich) awaken from a thousand-year spell and try to adapt to life in present-day Burbank, with the princess working in a department store.—
Mike Barnes,
HollywoodReporter,
30 May 2026
Verb
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Houston’s pitching staff awoke on Monday with the sport’s highest ERA, a byproduct of injuries to most of their season-opening rotation and the ineffectiveness of those who’ve stayed healthy.—
Chandler Rome,
New York Times,
26 May 2026
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Abdul Begawala said his wife awoke early Tuesday morning to the sound of gunshots.—
Claire Murphy,
Chicago Tribune,
22 May 2026
Verb
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The Lounge hosts rotating art exhibits, spotlighting thought-provoking pieces like ceramics from Thai artist Bathma Kaew-Ngok and showstopping floral arrangements by Naomi Daimaru.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
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For years, people took photos of themselves on the 666 to Hel and shared them on social media, relishing the coincidence of a bus to a beach resort provoking mental images of damnation, thanks to the similarity of the town's name to the English word hell.—
Anna Noryskiewicz,
CBS News,
1 June 2026
Verb
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Some of Iris Nemani’s earliest memories of the arts have to do with her parents waking her up — as a very young child — late at night to watch classic movie musicals on TV.—
Jim Harrington,
Mercury News,
29 May 2026
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The bitter, woke drumbeat is not working any more.—
Joe Battenfeld,
Boston Herald,
28 May 2026
Verb
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Though Export’s radical feminist art grew out of a particular political moment that had pretty much passed by the time Yuskavage began her career, the artists nonetheless share a rabble-rousing sensibility and an obsession with the unnerving visual punch of the female body.—
Naomi Fry,
New Yorker,
23 May 2026
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The energy is the main draw here, with a second-story bar and lounge overlooking a stage where rousing live acts span rotating bands, live band karaoke, and late-night DJs every weekend.—
Skye Sherman,
Southern Living,
23 May 2026
Verb
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Speaking between ballots, Tafoya repeatedly reminded delegates about the importance of winning the general election, while Schwarze encouraged them not to compromise their principles.—
Jay Gabler,
Twin Cities,
30 May 2026
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Kramer said the attendance cap was intentional and designed to encourage visitors to attend events throughout the region.—
Ben Wheeler
May 29,
Kansas City Star,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Petco Park was built to stimulate and revitalize parts of downtown.—
Phillip Molnar,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 May 2026
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The Fed typically raises its benchmark interest rate to help curb inflation by making borrowing more expensive and lowers it to stimulate economic growth and hiring.—
Rachel Barber,
USA Today,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Arouse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arouse. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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