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

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