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 body essentially wakes itself up after fixing what needs fixing.—
Allison Palmer,
Kansas City Star,
6 May 2026
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When Lydia wakes from her own nightmarish sleep, Vivian’s seat is empty.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Just at that moment, Jamie — our dream lover in every sense — awakes with a jolt.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
17 Apr. 2026
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The next morning, Park awakes hung over before disgustingly scoffing down a handful of salmon off a caterer's serving tray.—
Matt Cabral,
Entertainment Weekly,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But the question of what is true or not is futile, even if Calle deliberately provokes this curiosity.—
Elisa Wouk Almino
Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Apr. 2026
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The flurry of imagery provokes a surreal sort of whiplash.—
Kyle Chayka,
New Yorker,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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At the sound of morning prayers, an older Clarissa awakens from this dream and shuffles out to her lawn, where the leafy bush has been replaced with the industrial skyline of Lagos.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
HollywoodReporter,
16 May 2026
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There have been questions on social media as to whether the couple awakens together in the afterlife, and here’s what Roberts has to say.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
15 May 2026
Verb
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The 2026 club just might be the team that rouses them.—
Hannah Keyser,
CNN Money,
4 May 2026
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Thankfully, there's something to that old adage about felines having nine lives because The Jellicle Ball rouses Cats from its grave.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Responding to comments, asking for feedback, and giving shout-outs to active viewers fosters a sense of community and encourages continued engagement.—
Adam Rumanek,
Rolling Stone,
15 May 2026
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The moon in Taurus encourages you to go with the flow and stop forcing an outcome.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
15 May 2026
Verb
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By delivering low-frequency electrical pulses, the implant stimulates those receptors and influences how the body responds to rising blood pressure.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
15 May 2026
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The caffeine in coffee stimulates the bowels.—
Ashley Olivine,
Verywell Health,
11 May 2026
Verb
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By evening, the Aries Moon stirs private ambition and a stronger inner conviction about what comes next.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 May 2026
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At the same time, your home and personal life are evolving, as Uranus in Gemini stirs things up between your personal and professional life.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Arouses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arouses. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
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