AROUSE Synonyms: 109 Similar and Opposite Words

arouse

verb

ə-ˈrau̇z

Definition of arouse

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

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

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

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 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 Making the set attractive to the children will arouse their interest, encourage them to keep playing and push them to improve. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 24 Aug. 2026 Charismatic leaders arouse and synchronize followers' emotions. — Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026 This Catholic genealogy helped arouse British suspicions of European integration. — Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for arouse

Recent Examples of Synonyms for arouse

Verb

But when the 20-foot-tall creation awakens, his gentle nature clashes with the violent purpose he was built for.

— Jennifer Maas, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
This is because fictional texts awaken entirely personal resources of the imagination at both the moment of writing and the moment of reading.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of awaken

Verb

From this format emerges the tacit thesis that the Bicentennial cultural activities excelled at provoking critical, imaginative reflections on America’s past and future from artmakers and from ordinary citizens alike.

— Anna Kornbluh, ARTnews.com, 7 Oct. 2026
She never has been diagnosed with an underlying seizure disorder, such as epilepsy, and a medical test to provoke a seizure in Linton after the crash came back with no abnormal brain activity, prosecutors said.

— James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of provoke

Verb

The park taps into the region’s old folklore, named for the legendary character said to have woken from his 20-year sleep in the Catskills.

— Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026
Read More The unique Ozlo Sleepbuds are built for side sleepers, with a private alarm that can wake you up without alerting anyone else, and 14 hours of battery life.

— Brad Bourque, The Verge, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of wake

Verb

Peter roused again but had grown more certain since his last utterance.

— Anand Giridharadas, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2026
Bremen has received more acclaim than Model for its 4-0 start, partly because of a rousing 38-19 victory in its opener against four-time reigning Class A champion Bowdon.

— Todd Holcomb, AJC.com, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of rouse

Verb

Unlike many spas that focus on the healing effects of treatments, Kamalaya goes much deeper, encouraging guests to explore more emotional issues in a safe space.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026
Still, Terry Strada, whose husband, Tom Strada, was killed in the attacks, said she was encouraged that more than 100 family members of 9/11 victims turned out and by the judges’ questions.

— Tom Winter, NBC news, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of encourage

Verb

Eco effort Explora is a Certified B (or B Corp) company that works to address climate change, stimulate the local workforce, and provide benefits to the community by sourcing most of its products locally.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
The treatments also lowered the production of inflammatory signals that cause long-term swelling, and stimulated new blood vessel formation to nourish healing skin.

— Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of stimulate

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arousals

arouse

aroused

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“Arouse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arouse. Accessed 11 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of arouse

verb

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