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
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
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 baker who wakes before dawn for sixty years.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
9 Oct. 2025
-
Among the wares, there’s a swanky alarm clock that wakes you with light that mimics a sunrise, a cheetah-print AirPods case from Kate Spade, and a powerful portable charger that can charge two devices at once.—
Izzy Baskette,
PEOPLE,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Through her restraint, Roberts provokes in us some semblance of empathy for her character – in a movie where everyone else is basically monstrous.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
10 Oct. 2025
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Every action provokes a reaction.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Set in a remote village in North Macedonia, the film tells the story of 15-year-old Ahmet, a quiet shepherd boy whose discovery of electronic music awakens a desire for freedom and self-expression.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
7 Oct. 2025
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As for Pluto direct, this awakens passion and creativity, encouraging you to embrace love in ways that feel bolder and more playful.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
6 Oct. 2025
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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Eating seasonally encourages a more varied diet that can support overall health and help the body adapt to seasonal changes.—
Stephanie Brown,
Verywell Health,
10 Oct. 2025
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The sheriff’s office advises parents to check children’s backpacks and encourages children to speak up to their teachers.—
Julia Marnin,
Miami Herald,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Castor oil contains something called ricinoleic acid, which stimulates smooth muscle (the small and large intestines each contain multiple layers) and can mimic the effects of a laxative.—
Morgan Fargo,
Vogue,
8 Oct. 2025
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Nostalgia stimulates positive emotional experiences, as well as improving an individual's self-esteem.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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What stirs the last phrase is an impatience with cliché.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
13 Oct. 2025
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The Ryder Cup, too, stirs intense concentrations of emotion given the team format.—
Kevin Coulson,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Arouses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arouses. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.
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