Synonyms of arouse

arouse

verb

ə-ˈrau̇z 

1

as in to awaken

to cause to stop sleeping

the rooster's crow aroused me from my deep sleep

Synonyms & Similar Words

• awaken
• wake
• rouse
• awake
• waken
• knock up
• provoke
• excite
• stimulate
• stir
• raise
• revive
• reawaken
• rout
• disturb
• roust
• bestir
• agitate
• rewake

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• lull
• hypnotize
• mesmerize

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

• awake
• wake
• awaken
• rouse
• waken
• rise
• watch
• arise
• roll out
• revive
• reawaken
• stir
• turn out
• get up
• uprise
• rewake
• shift

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• drop off
• sleep
• rest
• nod
• slumber
• doze
• turn in
• bed (down)
• snooze
• retire
• nap
• couch
• sleep in
• conk (off or out)
• flop
• lie up
• doss (down)
• catnap
• kip (down)
• sack out
• oversleep

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• provoke
• encourage
• stimulate
• inspire
• excite
• stir
• incite
• motivate
• spark
• induce
• instigate
• pique
• motive
• move
• fire (up)
• rev (up)
• trigger
• impassion
• drive
• ignite
• inflame
• anger
• galvanize
• activate
• energize
• kindle
• quicken
• foment
• bother
• animate
• build a fire under
• set off
• vitalize
• enrage
• key (up)
• fan
• annoy
• irritate
• aggravate
• ferment
• abet
• exasperate
• raise
• upset
• whip (up)
• pump up
• tease
• taunt
• vex
• get
• jeer
• madden
• gall

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• calm
• soothe
• subdue
• appease
• placate
• tranquilize
• pacify
• mollify

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of arouse

The song was inspired by his boyfriend, who, when aroused, came over his head. — Harry Tafoya, Pitchfork, 9 July 2026

In the hour-long special, taped the Skirball in New York City in March, Barone aims to shock, amuse, and arouse. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 24 June 2026

Overview The emergence of teleSUR has aroused significant interest due to its uniqueness of being the first regional television channel purely financed by more than three Latin American states. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 May 2026

There may be many spouses out there who are aroused by mother-in-law cosplay. — John Hodgman, New York Times, 22 May 2026