1
as in waking
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 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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in energizing
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of arousing
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
Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Far from arousing curiosity, the movie forecloses it.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 14 Aug. 2025
Verb
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
Adjective
In fact, studies have found that couples who share novel and arousing activities report greater satisfaction.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Far from arousing curiosity, the movie forecloses it.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 14 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arousing
Verb
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While the relationship didn't become romantic until later on, Umansky and Zingerman spent nearly every waking moment together in high school.—
Emy LaCroix,
People.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Drown is now striving to be able to flip sleeping clients without waking them up.—
Sarah Larson,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Chris Young’s Beyond Earth column explores the intersection of space technology and policy, providing thought-provoking commentary on the latest advancements and regulatory developments in the sector.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Follow Scheffler for destination stories, travel trends and thought-provoking conversations from the world of travel.—
Daniel Scheffler,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Down 7-6, FAMU quarterback RJ Johnson III hit Jalen Rogers for a 26-yard grab, awakening the once silent Rattler crowd.—
Jayden Gonzalez,
Miami Herald,
31 Aug. 2025
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Last week’s awakening Aquarius Full Moon likely exposed broken systems and illuminated long-standing imbalances.—
Dossé-Via Trenou,
Refinery29,
17 Aug. 2025
Verb
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As a practical matter, California making this move will only further inflame the gerrymandering problem, encouraging a further spiral of gerrymandering offsetting Democratic gains in other states.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
7 Sep. 2025
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Walking tours are also gaining prominence, minimizing car use and encouraging a deeper connection with the city.—
Christopher Elliott,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Our conversations were always insightful and engaging, a truly stimulating exchange of ideas.—
Andrea Onate,
Footwear News,
4 Sep. 2025
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After increasing her anti-seizure medication one more time, staff noticed Ginger becoming a calmer, happier, more social cat who was increasingly able to handle more and more stimulating situations and interactions.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
31 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Specifically, a rousing game of Pips.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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The resulting film drew a rousing ovation at TIFF, a fitting start to its Oscar season rollout for all the work the filmmakers put into it.—
Mike Fleming Jr,
Deadline,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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That said, there are far less invigorating ways to watch a good movie go off the rails than to put yourself in the hand of Schnabel.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
3 Sep. 2025
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Draining the swamp never sounded so invigorating.—
Bob Gendron,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Arousing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arousing. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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