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
For instance, men tend to be aroused by new partners, while women often crave new experiences with the same partner.
—
Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
Murder by Antifreeze: How a Mother and Daughter Plotted to Kill Their Family Members – One at a Time
The pastor said his suspicions were aroused when Shaun, who seemed healthy, died, and Diane seemed unfazed by it.
—Kc Baker, People.com, 27 Apr. 2025
Karsh is aided in the investigation by Rebecca’s sister, Terry (also Kruger), who is acerbic, affectionate, and visibly aroused by conspiracy theories.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 11 Apr. 2025
As Saxon and Lochlan try to decipher what happened between them, we are asked to think about why we’re aroused (or repulsed) by it.
—Louis Staples, Rolling Stone, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for arouse
Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
Murder by Antifreeze: How a Mother and Daughter Plotted to Kill Their Family Members – One at a Time
The pastor said his suspicions were aroused when Shaun, who seemed healthy, died, and Diane seemed unfazed by it.
—Kc Baker, People.com, 27 Apr. 2025
Karsh is aided in the investigation by Rebecca’s sister, Terry (also Kruger), who is acerbic, affectionate, and visibly aroused by conspiracy theories.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 11 Apr. 2025
As Saxon and Lochlan try to decipher what happened between them, we are asked to think about why we’re aroused (or repulsed) by it.
—Louis Staples, Rolling Stone, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for arouse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arouse
Verb
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Yet there also is no guarantee that the Padres will fully awaken from their recent offensive malaise, that injured starting pitchers Michael King and Yu Darvish will return anytime soon or that, weeks from now, San Diego could justify acquiring significant reinforcements.—
Dennis Lin,
New York Times,
2 June 2025
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But there is something wry and resigned lurking behind those chord changes, an insouciance to Dorian’s vocals, that suggests something deeper and bigger brewing — the sound of a fairly labyrinthine songwriting mind just starting to awaken to its potential.—
Jayson Greene,
Vulture,
30 May 2025
Verb
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The infant was sleeping between her mother, Lillian Burton, and stepdad when the parents awoke at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday to the disturbance in their bed in NYCHA’s Queensbridge North Houses in Long Island City.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
29 May 2025
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Helberg awoke on Thursday to discover the massive bow of the NCL Salten resting a stone's throw from his home in Byneset, Norway, near Trondheim.—
Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
23 May 2025
Verb
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Negotiating with someone who is trying to provoke you is their tactic.—
John Baldoni,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
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Daily life in the villa is punctuated by games and challenges, designed to reveal secrets, provoke drama and test the strength of relationships.—
Samantha Stutsman,
People.com,
29 May 2025
Verb
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Richardson woke him up, saying Leslie was overdosing.—
Meredith Colias-Pete,
Chicago Tribune,
22 May 2025
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The Long Gray Line and character At West Point, cadets wake before the sun comes up, shoes shined, uniforms squared away.—
Brianna Keilar,
CNN Money,
22 May 2025
Verb
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In a rousing cliffhanger, Ava finds a very much alive Deborah, who has suddenly been spurred to action to fight for her next chapter.—
Rance Collins,
IndieWire,
31 May 2025
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Passing work that fails is an even worse thing to do for the middling and poor students and teachers who might otherwise be roused to do better.—
The Editors,
National Review,
29 May 2025
Verb
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There is no fee to nominate and self-nominations are encouraged.—
Post-Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
26 May 2025
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Inner reflection is encouraged with Mercury in Gemini.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
25 May 2025
Verb
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These wildfires, while destructive, have also provided researchers with insights into giant sequoia ecology, revealing that moderate-severity burns can stimulate seed release and create favorable germination conditions.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2025
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Muscles, heart rate, strength, motor control — and the brain — all are stimulated by exercise.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
23 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Arouse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arouse. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
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