Synonyms of arousing

arousing 1 of 2

adjective

as in energizing

Related Words

• energizing
• stimulating
• waking
• rousing
• invigorating
• awakening
• wakening
• stimulant
• refreshing
• reviving
• stimulative
• bracing
• stimulatory
• restorative

Dissimilar Words

• hypnotic
• narcotic
• sleepy
• drowsy
• opiate
• somnolent
• soporific
• sedative
• slumberous
• tranquilizing
• soothing
• settling
• relaxant
• comforting
• relaxing
• calming
• somniferous
• restful
• depressant
• quieting
• pacifying
• lulling

arousing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of arouse

1

as in waking

to cause to stop sleeping

the rooster's crow aroused me from my deep sleep

Synonyms & Similar Words

• waking
• awakening
• awaking
• rousing
• wakening
• knocking up
• provoking
• stimulating
• stirring
• raising
• disturbing
• exciting
• reviving
• reawakening
• routing
• rousting
• agitating
• bestirring
• rewaking

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• lulling
• mesmerizing
• hypnotizing

2

as in awaking

to cease to be asleep

set the alarm so we would arouse at 5:00 a.m.

Synonyms & Similar Words

• awaking
• waking
• awakening
• rousing
• wakening
• rising
• watching
• uprising
• arising
• rolling out
• reawakening
• stirring
• reviving
• getting up
• turning out
• rewaking
• shifting

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• sleeping
• resting
• slumbering
• dozing
• dropping off
• nodding
• napping
• snoozing
• retiring
• bedding (down)
• turning in
• couching
• flopping
• sleeping in
• catnapping
• conking (off or out)
• dossing (down)
• lying up
• kipping (down)
• sacking out
• oversleeping

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

• provoking
• encouraging
• stimulating
• stirring
• inspiring
• exciting
• inciting
• sparking
• motivating
• moving
• inducing
• instigating
• triggering
• firing (up)
• driving
• piquing
• revving (up)
• igniting
• inflaming
• energizing
• impassioning
• motiving
• activating
• galvanizing
• angering
• kindling
• fanning
• animating
• vitalizing
• building a fire under
• enraging
• fomenting
• quickening
• bothering
• teasing
• upsetting
• setting off
• abetting
• taunting
• fermenting
• maddening
• keying (up)
• irritating
• aggravating
• whipping (up)
• exasperating
• raising
• jeering
• annoying
• pumping up
• getting
• vexing
• galling

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• soothing
• calming
• subduing
• tranquilizing
• appeasing
• placating
• pacifying
• mollifying

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of arousing

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

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