AROUSE Synonyms: 109 Similar and Opposite Words

arouse

verb

ə-ˈrau̇z

Definition of arouse

as in to awaken

to cause to stop sleeping the rooster's crow aroused me from my deep sleep

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Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to awake

to cease to be asleep set the alarm so we would arouse at 5:00 a.m.

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to provoke

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of arouse In an unexpected move, China blocked tech company Meta from acquiring artificial intelligence startup Manus in April, after the deal apparently aroused government concern about the transfer of advanced technology. — Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026 In an unexpected move, China blocked tech giant Meta from acquiring artificial intelligence startup Manus in April after the deal apparently aroused government concern about the transfer of advanced technology. — ABC News, 15 Sep. 2026 Like spacious minor-key chords given a subtle major-key lift, these color combinations can arouse powerful emotions that are excruciatingly just short of fulfillment. — Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 27 Aug. 2026 Making the set attractive to the children will arouse their interest, encourage them to keep playing and push them to improve. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for arouse

Recent Examples of Synonyms for arouse

Verb

There is still time for the Republican Party to awaken from its slumber and stand up in the history of our nation for freedom-loving peoples across Europe.

— Bob Kustra, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
Sasha awakens to a note that says Morgan has hopped on an earlier flight home.

— Judy Berman, Time, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of awaken

Verb

The pontiff awoke normally and returned to his hospital room following a brief observation period, Vatican News reported.

— Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2026
Ukrainians awoke on Wednesday to find that their military had been restricted in its use of Starshield, the American satellite service undergirding swaths of the nation’s defensive infrastructure and weaponry.

— Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of awake

Verb

North Korea denied responsibility for the explosions and warned of strong retaliation if provoked.

— ABC News, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026
In 2012 American entrepreneur Russ George spread roughly 100 tons of iron in the North Pacific, provoking international criticism that a commercial venture had begun geoengineering without adequate oversight.

— Alec Luhn, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of provoke

Verb

Our dear old Katie, who used to wake us up every morning with her cheery smile, is now nothing more than a miserable LIB Boomer who comments on Danica Patrick's Instagram posts in the middle of the night.

— Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2026
Drink a glass of water with breakfast or shortly after waking to help your kidneys remove waste and stay hydrated.

— MD Published, Verywell Health, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of wake

Verb

That time and effort has resulted in a rousing critical success — THR‘s review called it Laika’s masterpiece — with its commercial viability set to face a big test.

— David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2026
Prosecutors alleged Hart attempted to rouse Williamson by kicking his vehicle.

— Christine Pelisek, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of rouse

Verb

The move stimulated the private sector and accelerated the deployment of EV infrastructure, Vesser said.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Issagholyan built out a 24-session plan to course-correct, involving twice weekly visits in which I would be chiropractically adjusted, my jaw cold-lasered to promote cellular regeneration and my back muscles stimulated by electrodes.

— Alessandra Codinha, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of stimulate

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arousals

arouse

aroused

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Style

“Arouse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arouse. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of arouse

verb

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