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.
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
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Recent Examples of arouse
And each movement aroused an urge to move in the woman lying above, as if an avalanche of imperceptible but palpable vibrations had been triggered.
—
Literary Hub, 7 Apr. 2026
There, the tortoise became visibly aroused seeing another tortoise.
—Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 4 Apr. 2026
The gobbling box will often arouse an old tom that nothing else can stir.
—Charles Elliott, Outdoor Life, 2 Apr. 2026
The harder a person tries to force sleep, the more aroused the brain becomes, the more elusive sleep becomes.
—Rabbi Bruce D. Forman, Sun Sentinel, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for arouse
Literary Hub, 7 Apr. 2026
There, the tortoise became visibly aroused seeing another tortoise.
—Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 4 Apr. 2026
The gobbling box will often arouse an old tom that nothing else can stir.
—Charles Elliott, Outdoor Life, 2 Apr. 2026
The harder a person tries to force sleep, the more aroused the brain becomes, the more elusive sleep becomes.
—Rabbi Bruce D. Forman, Sun Sentinel, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for arouse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arouse
Verb
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Who’s to say international futbol isn’t ready to begrudgingly welcome a new epoch in the sport, and that is might be led by a host nation that proves itself a sleeping giant awakened?—
Greg Cote
June 22,
Miami Herald,
22 June 2026
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However, Kalwinski has awakened me to the fact that such civic pride can apply just as much to the Bears being in Hammond as being in Arlington Heights.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
21 June 2026
Verb
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Residents in southeastern districts adjacent to the facility awoke to thick columns of black smoke rising above the city skyline, while local environmental authorities advised city residents to limit time outdoors amid concerns over air quality.—
Katya Soldak,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
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According to the San Bernardino County Fire Department, the man awoke to a bear paw.—
Julie Sharp,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
Verb
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This ends up being just one of Aemond’s defining moments, which further provokes war.—
Skyler Trepel,
PEOPLE,
22 June 2026
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Israel has launched frequent campaigns against Hezbollah, most notably in 2006, when a Hezbollah cross-border raid and the capture of two Israeli soldiers provoked an extensive Israeli air and ground operation that lasted more than a month.—
Nadeen Ebrahim,
CNN Money,
20 June 2026
Verb
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The tablet threatens to consume the 8-year-old’s every waking moment, leaving no time for making memories with her partners in pretend.—
Sandra Gonzalez,
CNN Money,
19 June 2026
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Brittney Brimway and her three children were on a flight from Los Angeles to Turks and Caicos with a layover in New York City when her son woke her up with some less-than-comforting news.—
Drew Pittock,
USA Today,
17 June 2026
Verb
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At the behest of Strathie’s family, fans also honored the longtime Tartan Army member with rousing applause in the 76th minute.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
20 June 2026
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After Israel struck a Hezbollah stronghold in Beirut on Sunday, Israelis went to bed expecting to be roused by incoming missiles from Iran.—
Ruth Margalit,
New Yorker,
19 June 2026
Verb
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Nick Engen and Taylor Calmus CBS To help encourage fathers navigating similar experiences, Taylor Calmus, creator of the popular online Dude Dad brand, visited the NICU ahead of Father's Day to surprise Engen and other dads with gift bags filled with supplies.—
Dillon Thomas,
CBS News,
20 June 2026
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You are encouraged to sit and lounge and read.—
Rachel Brodsky,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
Verb
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The mature, honest dialogue offers a sense of resolve, ushering you into a pleasant space that stimulates you to nurture yourself.—
Lisa Stardust,
Vogue,
18 June 2026
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Red light is mitochondrially stimulating, so late-night use can disrupt sleep.—
Allison Palmer,
Kansas City Star,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Arouse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arouse. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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