1
as in waking
to cause to stop sleeping
the rooster's crow aroused me from my deep sleep
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of arousing
Brenda Stolyar, WIRED, 4 Feb. 2023
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
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
Squeezing lube out of a bottle until the cold goop squirts out isn't the most arousing act.
—Brenda Stolyar, WIRED, 4 Feb. 2023
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arousing
Verb
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This will deepen the divide between the global North and South on issues of race and cultural difference, straining the West’s diplomatic relations with countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America while provoking broader resentment toward Western countries seen as perpetuating racial hierarchies.—
Matias Spektor,
Foreign Affairs,
7 Jan. 2025
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In 2008, the United States suggested that Georgia and Ukraine might eventually join the alliance but offered no concrete path to membership, thus provoking Russia without effectively deterring it.—
Michael Beckley,
Foreign Affairs,
7 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Thursday’s swings also hit the bond market, which had been showing encouraging signals earlier in the day that stress may be easing.—
Time,
Time,
11 Apr. 2025
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Kym was the one sneaking them onto rec teams and encouraging them to join AAU programs.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Once consumed, caffeine is quickly absorbed and crosses the blood-brain barrier, which means its stimulating effects can be immediate.1112 7.—
Lauren O'Connor,
Health,
16 June 2025
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Lastly, urban environments are inherently stimulating.—
Kissa Castaneda,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2025
Adjective
-
Your Organization Is Your Family Most people spend more waking hours with colleagues than relatives.—
Francois Botha,
Forbes.com,
11 May 2025
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Students spend more waking hours a day at school than at home in the July-May.—
Madeleine Parrish,
The Arizona Republic,
8 Oct. 2024
Verb
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The use of that familiar John Williams score in the marketing implies a welcome return to the rousing spirit of the Christopher Reeve Superman films.—
A.A. Dowd,
Vulture,
6 Jan. 2025
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Demi Moore gave me a taste of her rousing Golden Globes speech at Saturday morning’s Indie Spirits brunch in Santa Monica.—
Anne Thompson,
IndieWire,
6 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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This is a vibrant and energizing fragrance that is simple in the beginning, then becomes deeper and more invigorating.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Feb. 2025
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When on offer, the bisque is an invigorating and refreshing version of the classic.—
The Bon Appétit Staff & Contributors,
Bon Appétit,
21 Oct. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Arousing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arousing. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
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