1
as in to awaken
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 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
3
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
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Recent Examples of arouse
There, the tortoise became visibly aroused seeing another tortoise.
—
Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 4 Apr. 2026
The gobbling box will often arouse an old tom that nothing else can stir.
—Charles Elliott, Outdoor Life, 2 Apr. 2026
The harder a person tries to force sleep, the more aroused the brain becomes, the more elusive sleep becomes.
—Rabbi Bruce D. Forman, Sun Sentinel, 25 Mar. 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
See All Example Sentences for arouse
Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 4 Apr. 2026
The gobbling box will often arouse an old tom that nothing else can stir.
—Charles Elliott, Outdoor Life, 2 Apr. 2026
The harder a person tries to force sleep, the more aroused the brain becomes, the more elusive sleep becomes.
—Rabbi Bruce D. Forman, Sun Sentinel, 25 Mar. 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
See All Example Sentences for arouse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arouse
Verb
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As the countercultural revolution begins, and music starts to change the world, Pearl awakens to a life beyond the one she’s always known.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
16 Apr. 2026
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The commotion awakened the victim’s mother, who rushed in, causing the suspect to burst out of the home and flee, authorities said.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Alvarez awoke Sunday leading the majors in slugging, OPS and home runs, a flaming core at the heart of a cooling lineup.—
Matt Kawahara,
Houston Chronicle,
19 Apr. 2026
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When Gould awoke, she was thrilled to see her husband and newborn son.—
Kerry Breen,
CBS News,
18 Apr. 2026
Verb
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And the choices may provoke some disagreement.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
25 Apr. 2026
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Antisemitic attacks have surged worldwide since October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants crossed the border into Israel for an attack that provoked a ferocious response from Israel that’s razed large parts of Gaza and killed tens of thousands of Palestinians.—
CNN.com Wire Service,
Mercury News,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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That distinction matters for anyone whose main frustration is waking in the night rather than struggling to fall asleep in the first place.—
Allison Palmer,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
23 Apr. 2026
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Natural light comes into the loft on all sides, so feel free to turn off your alarm clock and let the sun wake you on its own.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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This vibrant, free afternoon concert will feature a rich selection of beloved American choral favorites, including rousing gospel selections, powerful spirituals, and timeless classics that resonate across generations, a news release stated.—
News Release,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Apr. 2026
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The Armory Show of 1913 was an event that roused the journalism world to visual art.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Meanwhile, today Uranus enters a part of your chart to stay for six years, encouraging impulsive vacations, surprising romance and unexpected children.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
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The authors stress the need for a robust public domain for information and for IP to be fairly applied alongside the public domain in order to encourage economic growth and innovation.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Other options, such as red light therapy caps, are non-invasive devices that use low-level light therapy to stimulate hair follicles and increase density.—
Tribune News Service,
Baltimore Sun,
30 Apr. 2026
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Rachel Barber The Fed typically lowers its benchmark rate to stimulate the economy by making borrowing costs cheaper, which can indirectly lower interest rates on auto loans, personal loans, and credit cards.—
Rachel Barber,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Arouse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arouse. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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