as in energizing
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Dissimilar Words
1
as in waking
to cause to stop sleeping
the rooster's crow aroused me from my deep sleep
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in awaking
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 provoking
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 arousing
Essence, 11 Sep. 2025
Squeezing lube out of a bottle until the cold goop squirts out isn't the most arousing act.
—Brenda Stolyar, WIRED, 4 Feb. 2023
Amazon Prime members can also ship items to a locker to avoid arousing suspicions when the parcel is delivered, Valentine Lent said.
—Amanda Pérez Pintado, USA TODAY, 15 Dec. 2022
That’s sort of gross, but also a strangely arousing way to describe the painful expansion of self that comes with falling in love.
—Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2022
The supervisor also recommended performing the steps two to three hours after trying to interview members of a household to avoid arousing suspicions from higher-ups who could track where census takers had been through their IPhones.
—Mike Schneider, Anchorage Daily News, 24 Nov. 2020
Some research suggests that men around the world find a specific waist-to-hip ratio (0.7) to be most arousing.
—Ogi Ogas, Discover Magazine, 20 Sep. 2011
Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 9 Apr. 2026
No clear catalyst One reason the surge in oil futures trading is arousing suspicion is that no market-moving announcements were slated for Monday morning, such as government economic releases or speeches from Federal Reserve officials.
—Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026
To avoid arousing suspicion, the mission was primarily carried out by ground forces with limited air support from helicopters, Trevilla said.
—Gonzalo Zegarra, CNN Money, 24 Feb. 2026
Algorithms tend to prioritize emotionally arousing content, particularly anger, anxiety and outrage.
—Robin Pickering, The Conversation, 21 Jan. 2026
Now, Elizabeth and Michael must find a way to send her back to her time, while not arousing the suspicion of Michael’s mother and sister during their family vacation.
—Emily Longeretta, Variety, 22 Dec. 2025
But instead of arousing genuine interest, Davuluri’s tweet set off some harsh feedback from at least some users put off by AI.
—PC Magazine, 19 Nov. 2025
Mike Evans could return, and the Johnsons (Kameron and Tez) pack arousing upside, but Otton is likely to earn the biggest target spike.
—Brad Evans, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
In fact, studies have found that couples who share novel and arousing activities report greater satisfaction.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
Adding oils or a warm soak can increase sensitivity and make the experience both soothing and arousing.
—Essence, 11 Sep. 2025
Squeezing lube out of a bottle until the cold goop squirts out isn't the most arousing act.
—Brenda Stolyar, WIRED, 4 Feb. 2023
Amazon Prime members can also ship items to a locker to avoid arousing suspicions when the parcel is delivered, Valentine Lent said.
—Amanda Pérez Pintado, USA TODAY, 15 Dec. 2022
That’s sort of gross, but also a strangely arousing way to describe the painful expansion of self that comes with falling in love.
—Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2022
The supervisor also recommended performing the steps two to three hours after trying to interview members of a household to avoid arousing suspicions from higher-ups who could track where census takers had been through their IPhones.
—Mike Schneider, Anchorage Daily News, 24 Nov. 2020
Some research suggests that men around the world find a specific waist-to-hip ratio (0.7) to be most arousing.
—Ogi Ogas, Discover Magazine, 20 Sep. 2011
Verb
Today, fiery Mars moves to the top of your chart to stay for the next six weeks, arousing your ambition as never before.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 9 Apr. 2026
No clear catalyst One reason the surge in oil futures trading is arousing suspicion is that no market-moving announcements were slated for Monday morning, such as government economic releases or speeches from Federal Reserve officials.
—Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026
To avoid arousing suspicion, the mission was primarily carried out by ground forces with limited air support from helicopters, Trevilla said.
—Gonzalo Zegarra, CNN Money, 24 Feb. 2026
Algorithms tend to prioritize emotionally arousing content, particularly anger, anxiety and outrage.
—Robin Pickering, The Conversation, 21 Jan. 2026
Now, Elizabeth and Michael must find a way to send her back to her time, while not arousing the suspicion of Michael’s mother and sister during their family vacation.
—Emily Longeretta, Variety, 22 Dec. 2025
But instead of arousing genuine interest, Davuluri’s tweet set off some harsh feedback from at least some users put off by AI.
—PC Magazine, 19 Nov. 2025
Mike Evans could return, and the Johnsons (Kameron and Tez) pack arousing upside, but Otton is likely to earn the biggest target spike.
—Brad Evans, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
In fact, studies have found that couples who share novel and arousing activities report greater satisfaction.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arousing
Verb
-
Kawamura has also given us a genuinely genius take on the waking existential crisis that is 21st century living.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Every 90 minutes, our bodies go paralyzed while our brains become more active than during waking life.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In Hocus Pocus, Dani, her older brother Max (Omri Katz) and his crush Allison (Vinessa Shaw) have to save the children of Salem, Massachusetts after accidentally awaking the witch Sanderson sisters from their 300-year slumber.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
25 Oct. 2025
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Tirso Ornelas’ seventh-inning grand slam triggered a late-game awaking as Triple-A El Paso beat host Sugar Land 13-2 on Wednesday.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
There’s nothing better than cozying up to a good memoir or a thought-provoking history book.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Indeed, the only black-and-white to be found here is on David Zinn’s thought-provoking set, which washes the abodes of the younger characters in funereal black right down to Suzanna’s hotel bed.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Enjoy reading or mentally stimulating puzzles.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Engaging in mentally stimulating activities works neural pathways in the brain, while exercise improves blood flow to the brain and prompts muscles to contract, Hwang said.—
Kaitlin Sullivan,
NBC news,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
As temperatures climb and trees bud with the arrival of spring, a native frog species is awakening after months being frozen and nearly dead.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
23 Mar. 2026
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The solemn Moon is stepping into Capricorn, awakening your 12th House of Solitude and Healing.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Former clients described Motta encouraging people to get surgeries, and others discussed one particularly shameless episode in which a large church van, crammed with prospective plaintiffs, intentionally collided with a truck.—
Patrick Radden Keefe,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Reframe aging as a life stage of capability and purpose rather than decline, encouraging earlier conversations across families, workplaces, and communities.—
Aimee DeCamillo,
Fortune,
12 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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After a rousing start (setlist below), what followed was a vivid, loving tribute to all different flavors and musical genres of Latin culture, as loaded with subtext as Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl headlining performance.—
Jem Aswad,
Variety,
13 Apr. 2026
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One of the most rousing action-comedies ever made, and one that possesses an undeniable heft in its practical effects, The General builds beautifully off of its premise to create a handful of cinema’s most dizzying, entertaining chase sequences.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
According to a Chef Rotanak Ros The Cambodian celeb chef known as Chef Nak shares her recipe for an invigorating weekend in the cradle of Khmer cuisine.—
Matt Ortile,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The Chanel dinner brings fashion, film and art together in an invigorating way.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Arousing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arousing. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
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