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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As the Western New York metropolis awakens again, people have come to realize that all that downtime helped preserve the city’s classic architecture.—
CNN.com Wire Service,
Mercury News,
8 May 2026
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But by this afternoon, something awakens in you.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
30 Apr. 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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Armbruster encourages drivers to compare prices between stations instead of automatically stopping at the same place every time to fill up.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 May 2026
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The equal time law encourages more speech and empowers voters to decide the outcome of elections.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
8 May 2026
Verb
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Lion’s mane stimulates nerve growth factor and neurogenesis, enhances memory, focus, clarity and mood, and chaga mushrooms can enhance physical performance, oxygen utilization and give an endurance boost.—
Ryan Brennan
May 6,
Sacbee.com,
6 May 2026
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Initially, coffee may cause a temporary increase in blood pressure because caffeine stimulates the nervous system.—
Kristen Gasnick,
Verywell Health,
6 May 2026
Verb
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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
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As the rise of artificial intelligence stirs anxiety over the technology taking people's jobs, AI is also opening pathways to new careers, according to LinkedIn.—
Mary Cunningham,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Arouses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arouses. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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