Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

Thesaurus

arouse

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of arouse

1 to cause to stop sleeping
  • The rooster's crow aroused me from my deep sleep.
Synonyms of arouse

awake, awaken, rouse, wake, waken
Words Related to arouse

roust, rout

raise, revive

reawaken, rewake

agitate, bestir, disturb, excite, provoke, stimulate, stir
Near Antonyms of arouse

hypnotize, mesmerize
Antonyms of arouse

lull
2 to cease to be asleep
  • We set the alarm so we would arouse at 5:00 a.m.
Synonyms of arouse

awake, awaken, rouse, wake, waken
Words Related to arouse

arise, get up, rise, roll out, turn out, uprise

watch

revive

reawaken, rewake

shift, stir
Near Antonyms of arouse

catnap, conk (off or out), doze, drop off, nap, nod, rest, sleep, slumber, snooze

bed (down), couch, flop, retire, sack out, turn in

lie up, sleep in

oversleep
3 to rouse to strong feeling or action
  • The court's controversial decision aroused many to call for a constitutional amendment.
Synonyms of arouse

encourage, excite, fire (up), impassion, incite, instigate, move, pique, provoke, rev (up), spark, stimulate, stir
Words Related to arouse

fan, ignite, inflame (also enflame), kindle, trigger

activate, animate, drive, energize, galvanize, induce, inspire, key (up), motivate, pump up, quicken, set off, vitalize

abet, ferment, foment, raise, whip (up)

anger, enrage, madden, upset

jeer, taunt, tease

annoy, bother, exasperate, gall, irritate, vex
Phrases Synonymous with arouse

build a fire under
Near Antonyms of arouse

calm, soothe, subdue, tranquilize (also tranquillize)

appease, mollify, pacify, placate

Learn More about arouse

  1. Dictionary: Definition of arouse Medical Dictionary: Definition of arouse Spanish Central: Translation of arouse Nglish: Translation of arouse for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of arouse for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up arouse? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games