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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The cool, gel texture is refreshing and wakes me up, hydrating and smoothing my puffy under-eyes and minimizing dark circles in 15 minutes.—
Emma Greene,
InStyle,
28 Jan. 2026
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The novel, which was crowned champ of the spring 2024 Jimmy Fallon Book Club, follows Lee, a mother who, during a relentless winter storm, wakes to an intruder in her home.—
Justin Kroll,
Deadline,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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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
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Fogel is always looking for the visual angle that provokes an emotional response.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
22 Jan. 2026
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This ends up being just one of Aemond’s defining moments, which further provokes war.—
Skyler Trepel,
PEOPLE,
19 Jan. 2026
Verb
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This awakens pleasure, chemistry and playful desire, which is kinda ideal for falling in love.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
29 Jan. 2026
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Espresso becomes a lightning rod that awakens chocolate.—
Jesse Szewczyk,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
28 Jan. 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
Verb
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And, adds Scott, with a smile, Billy (their French poodle who has appeared in this column before) encourages donations to animal protection organizations.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
30 Jan. 2026
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Days ahead of the 2026 Grammys, Elton John encourages young artists to follow their dreams while introducing the Best New Artist nominees in a short film from Spotify.—
Angie Martoccio,
Rolling Stone,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The viral beauty gadget stimulates collagen, boosts circulation, and leaves you with plump, youthful results.—
Kyra Surgent,
InStyle,
8 Jan. 2026
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Continuing to seek out mental and social challenges stimulates brain metabolism, neuroplasticity and vascular health, according to Efrati, who also serves as chair of the medical advisory board at Aviv Clinics, which operates in Florida and Tel Aviv.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
1 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Michaelson asked Fisher about a particular conversation between the two former Lakers that still stirs strong emotions for the 18-year NBA veteran.—
Monica Haider,
CNN Money,
27 Jan. 2026
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Paul Mescal stirs as the Bard, complete with an earring, but his co-star Buckley breathes heart-wrenching life into Hamnet.—
Savannah Salazar,
Vulture,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Arouses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arouses. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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