1
as in wakes
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 awakes
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 provokes
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 arouses
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
For various reasons—his kids are off from school during the robbery; his getaway driver drops out; his hotheaded gunman arouses suspicion—his haphazard caper doesn’t lead to riches.
—Robert Daniels, Time, 10 Oct. 2025
This arouses the ire of the town’s belligerent sheriff (Colin Hanks, playing against type) and crooked theme park owner (John Ortiz) who decide to get revenge on the apparent family man causing them trouble.
—Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 13 Aug. 2025
The moon’s clash with Chiron arouses your pessimistic side.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2025
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
For various reasons—his kids are off from school during the robbery; his getaway driver drops out; his hotheaded gunman arouses suspicion—his haphazard caper doesn’t lead to riches.
—Robert Daniels, Time, 10 Oct. 2025
This arouses the ire of the town’s belligerent sheriff (Colin Hanks, playing against type) and crooked theme park owner (John Ortiz) who decide to get revenge on the apparent family man causing them trouble.
—Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 13 Aug. 2025
The moon’s clash with Chiron arouses your pessimistic side.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arouses
Verb
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This season Sinatra wakes from her coma and faces a new obstacle in Jane (Nicole Brydon Bloom).—
Yvonne Villarreal,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
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Its sunrise alarm wakes you up peacefully.—
Claire Peltier,
ABC News,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Ashur awakes in this alternative timeline, but not all is blissful.—
Andrew McGowan,
Variety,
7 Feb. 2026
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When Fuller awakes several hours later, her head has been shaved, she’s covered in antihistamine cream, and she’s tied up in a basement.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
What is beauty if not precisely the property that provokes us to abandon all pretense of analytic remove in our desperation to draw closer?—
Becca Rothfeld,
New Yorker,
7 Mar. 2026
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The aroma of coffee brewing reliably provokes desire.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In the series premiere of Netflix’s Vladimir, Rachel Weisz awakens from troubled sleep to a cascade of texts, sighs deeply, and addresses the camera with pleading eyes.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
5 Mar. 2026
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Mailena Wellness Resort, on the Baja California shoreline, awakens wellness on Mexico’s west coast with its state-of-the-art Wellness and Longevity Center.—
Jane Alexander,
Condé Nast Traveler,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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No, Kravitz is an artist who builds from the essence of his music, true rock ‘n’ roll, creating a live show that doesn’t push boundaries but rouses the audience and satisfies our yearning for a real rock star.—
Britt Julious,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Aug. 2025
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Front-axle motors deliver their full monty of instantaneous torque at every possible engine speed between 0 and 2,000 rpm; 2,000 rpm is the point at which the gas engine rouses itself to take over the majority of propulsion.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
26 Sep. 2016
Verb
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Launched in 2020 after the 400th anniversary of the first African slaves arriving in Jamestown, Virginia, the decade-long initiative encourages people of African descent to visit or repatriate and reconnect with their heritage and culture.—
Melanie van Zyl,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Mar. 2026
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But a general election that includes voices from across the spectrum and encourages candidates to build coalitions and draw support from everyone?—
Tom Charron,
Mercury News,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Another natural extract, from silk cotton tree flowers, stimulates the natural production of hyaluronic acid and helps water enter the skin cells.—
Justin Fenner,
Robb Report,
6 Mar. 2026
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Umami stimulates saliva secretion and helps with appetite.—
Amy Brownstein,
Verywell Health,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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For many Iranians, the war stirs a complicated mix of emotions.—
Kara Fox,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
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General Daily Insight for March 06, 2026 Fresh courage stirs as the day begins.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Arouses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arouses. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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