arouse

verb

ə-ˈrau̇z How to pronounce arouse (audio)
Definition of arousenext
1
as in to awaken
to cause to stop sleeping the rooster's crow aroused me from my deep sleep

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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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of arouse His efforts, however, encountered their greatest obstacle after World War II due to the suspicions aroused by Philip’s family’s uncomfortable ties to the Nazis. — Diego Parrado, Vanity Fair, 29 Sep. 2026 In an unexpected move, China blocked tech company Meta from acquiring artificial intelligence startup Manus in April, after the deal apparently aroused government concern about the transfer of advanced technology. — Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026 In an unexpected move, China blocked tech giant Meta from acquiring artificial intelligence startup Manus in April after the deal apparently aroused government concern about the transfer of advanced technology. — ABC News, 15 Sep. 2026 Like spacious minor-key chords given a subtle major-key lift, these color combinations can arouse powerful emotions that are excruciatingly just short of fulfillment. — Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for arouse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arouse
  1. awaken
  2. awake
  3. provoke
  4. wake
  5. rouse
  6. encourage
  7. stimulate
Verb
  • The picture unfolds against the backdrop of a family digital detox vacation in a house in a Swedish forest which takes a terrifying turn when a teenager discovers an old modem and unwittingly awakens a dormant, sadistic demon when it is fired up.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2026
  • There is still time for the Republican Party to awaken from its slumber and stand up in the history of our nation for freedom-loving peoples across Europe.
    — Bob Kustra, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of awaken
Verb
  • More important, Europe has finally awoken to the economic threat from China, because the surge of auto and industrial exports from China to Europe poses an existential challenge for the continent’s economic model.
    — THEODORE BUNZEL, Foreign Affairs, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The Heat awoke Tuesday as the NBA’s only 0-4 team and thoroughly bewildered about how a group that fashioned itself a contender could continue to perform so poorly.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of awake
Verb
  • Not to be all nostalgic, but there is a long history of the Steppenwolf audience showing up precisely to be provoked, made to think, or satirized themselves.
    — Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2026
  • But can his way of working still provoke a new way of seeing?
    — Michael Brenson, Vogue, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of provoke
Verb
  • In 1784, Benjamin Franklin proposed the idea that people wake earlier to take advantage of morning sunlight and reduce their use of candles.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 30 Oct. 2026
  • That structure won’t eliminate the symptoms waking you up, however.
    — Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of wake
Verb
  • Quite the letdown from those rousing performances in Games 2 and 3.
    — Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 28 Oct. 2026
  • The federal government’s understanding (or misunderstanding, according to bestselling author Malcolm Gladwell) of the 2nd Amendment all begins with the tale of a rabble-rousing 17th century English nobleman.
    — Shelby Hartman, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of rouse
Verb
  • In a statement, Gaspar said he was encouraged by the early results and the momentum behind his campaign.
    — Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026
  • The company said the release is intended to encourage other researchers to build on the work and improve the technology.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of encourage
Verb
  • This potentially removes the need to add a separate immune-stimulating ingredient to the vaccine.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 31 Oct. 2026
  • Ear seeding is a needle-free acupuncture technique that uses small beads held to the ear with adhesive to stimulate specific pressure points.
    — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of stimulate

Browse Nearby Words

arousals
arouse
aroused
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Cite this Entry

“Arouse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arouse. Accessed 7 Nov. 2026.

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