1
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
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of arouse
But instead of arousing genuine interest, Davuluri’s tweet set off some harsh feedback from at least some users put off by AI.
—
PC Magazine, 19 Nov. 2025
More than three devices is considered a cluster that arouses interest.
—Carolyn Forché, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
That intense scarcity arouses a FOMO among very wealthy car lovers that allows Ferrari to charge prices like $250,000 for one of its entry-level cars, and $3 million for a hypercar like its F80.
—Phil Wahba, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2025
Certainly, they are aroused by the concept of being ruinously in its thrall.
—Daniel Kolitz, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for arouse
PC Magazine, 19 Nov. 2025
More than three devices is considered a cluster that arouses interest.
—Carolyn Forché, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
That intense scarcity arouses a FOMO among very wealthy car lovers that allows Ferrari to charge prices like $250,000 for one of its entry-level cars, and $3 million for a hypercar like its F80.
—Phil Wahba, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2025
Certainly, they are aroused by the concept of being ruinously in its thrall.
—Daniel Kolitz, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for arouse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arouse
Verb
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The teen’s sister told police she and her brother were awakened by the sound of sawing noises at their door.—
Nick Ferraro,
Twin Cities,
12 Jan. 2026
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Your 9th House of Higher Learning awakens as Venus squares vulnerable Chiron, with Chiron in your subtler 12th house.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The lightweight fabric is also quiet, so you won’t be awoken from crinkling material.—
Rylee Johnston,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
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The most famous, perhaps, was of lung cancer patient David Prueitt, who swallowed a supposedly lethal dose of medication and awoke three days later.—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Analysts and insiders told CBS News the scale of the response to Pahalvi's call could determine whether the deadly, 12-day-old protests fizzle out as previous rounds of unrest have, or grow into a major challenge to the government, and provoke a possible wider crackdown.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
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Intrusive thoughts provoke an anxious spiral as the moon and Saturn oppose.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The woman recalled someone knocking on their door, waking her family, before hearing shots.—
DeJanay Booth-Singleton,
CBS News,
13 Jan. 2026
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On Monday evening, the Bristol Fire Department and Mayor’s Office announced Kelly’s funeral and wake arrangements.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Their popularity spread through Europe until, in Victorian tradition, they were used to rouse women after fainting spells.—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Jan. 2026
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But before the awards were handed out and rousing acceptance speeches were delivered (which could make all the difference for Oscar hopefuls), all the fashion, outfits, and looks from the Golden Globes red carpet 2026 kicked off the night.—
Maggie Coughlan,
Vanity Fair,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The teeth also captured climate shifts such as the Late Antique Little Ice Age and the Medieval Climate Anomaly, which might have encouraged some increase in migration into England.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Jan. 2026
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Those who experienced the earthquake are encouraged to report it via the USGS Felt Report form.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In addition to pure retinol, which helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, this unique product features retinyl palmitate, an antioxidant-rich skin protectant, as well as retinyl acetate, a natural form of vitamin A that keeps pores clean while stimulating collagen production.—
Michelle Baricevic,
InStyle,
14 Jan. 2026
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Standard lasers create powerful beams by bouncing light between microscopic mirrors to stimulate more light production; this new tool uses the same principle to amplify vibrations.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Arouse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arouse. Accessed 23 Jan. 2026.
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