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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of arouse
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
No clear catalyst One reason the surge in oil futures trading is arousing suspicion is that no market-moving announcements were slated for Monday morning, such as government economic releases or speeches from Federal Reserve officials.
—Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026
The remoteness of the imperial government at Vienna and an increasingly illiberal regime soon aroused discontent in Austria’s Italian province.
—Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for arouse
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
No clear catalyst One reason the surge in oil futures trading is arousing suspicion is that no market-moving announcements were slated for Monday morning, such as government economic releases or speeches from Federal Reserve officials.
—Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026
The remoteness of the imperial government at Vienna and an increasingly illiberal regime soon aroused discontent in Austria’s Italian province.
—Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for arouse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arouse
Verb
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As the countercultural revolution begins, and music starts to change the world, Pearl awakens to a life beyond the one she’s always known.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
16 Apr. 2026
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The commotion awakened the victim’s mother, who rushed in, causing the suspect to burst out of the home and flee, authorities said.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Alvarez awoke Sunday leading the majors in slugging, OPS and home runs, a flaming core at the heart of a cooling lineup.—
Matt Kawahara,
Houston Chronicle,
19 Apr. 2026
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When Gould awoke, she was thrilled to see her husband and newborn son.—
Kerry Breen,
CBS News,
18 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Focused on fast payouts — with many conducted in around four hours — these models target rural populations in particular, which are increasingly impacted by unexpected weather patterns and natural disasters provoked by climate change.—
Paige Bruton,
semafor.com,
20 Apr. 2026
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Your goal is to make a point, not to provoke.—
Chris John Amorosino,
Hartford Courant,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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What follows is a crescendo of bloody madness, including a gruesome toenail cutting scene that shouldn’t be viewed while eating, a grandma being eaten alive by a pack of coyotes and a truly bonkers wake that erupts into laugh-out-loud violence thanks to a pair of dentures.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
17 Apr. 2026
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Salzhauer has also alluded to Rizzi's claims on his TikTok page, posting a spoof video where one of his employees pretends to wake him up by playing one of Rizzi's viral videos.—
Luke Chinman,
PEOPLE,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Throughout the 1960s and ‘70s, the trio created rousing anti-apartheid protest theater that brought global attention to South African oppression at great personal risk.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Apr. 2026
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Curry came off the bench to rousing standing ovations in his first two home games before returning to the starting five for Friday night's loss at Sacramento.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
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To manage that reality, Manning encourages newer teachers to establish boundaries early and stick to them.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
18 Apr. 2026
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On Tuesday, the New York Islanders showed a message on the video board at their Long Island arena encouraging hockey fans to donate to Duran’s legal defense fund.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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This amazing project significantly expands our ability to accomplish our mission, to stimulate curiosity and inspire science learning in everyone, on a scale and with an impact unlike anything in our history.—
Staff report,
Daily News,
16 Apr. 2026
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Simple habits like hydration, fiber intake, coffee, physical activity, and proper posture can help stimulate bowel movements.—
Sherri Gordon,
Health,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Arouse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arouse. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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