1
as in to awaken
to cause to stop sleeping
the rooster's crow aroused me from my deep sleep
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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.
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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of arouse
The remoteness of the imperial government at Vienna and an increasingly illiberal regime soon aroused discontent in Austria’s Italian province.
—
Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 12 Mar. 2026
Yes, this position may arouse some ire.
—David Wolpe, The Atlantic, 9 Mar. 2026
Thousands of digital leaders from around the world are here, displaying the latest in robotics, quantum computing, and IQ AI, which is grappling with the relationship between us—humans—and the multitude of AI agents that proffer help and arouse suspicion.
—Kamal Ahmed, Fortune, 3 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
See All Example Sentences for arouse
Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 12 Mar. 2026
Yes, this position may arouse some ire.
—David Wolpe, The Atlantic, 9 Mar. 2026
Thousands of digital leaders from around the world are here, displaying the latest in robotics, quantum computing, and IQ AI, which is grappling with the relationship between us—humans—and the multitude of AI agents that proffer help and arouse suspicion.
—Kamal Ahmed, Fortune, 3 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
See All Example Sentences for arouse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arouse
Verb
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Cynthia Trevino, a resident for 27 years, said she’s been awakened at 3 and 4 in the morning by planes that fail to follow the airport’s voluntary noise abatement program.—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
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The original movie, released in 1999, starred Fraser as treasure hunter who travels to Egypt in the 1920s with a spunky librarian, played by Weisz, only to accidentally awaken a supernaturally powerful high priest.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Exports spiked; Americans awoke to the pleasures of their native whiskey.—
Adam Sachs,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Mar. 2026
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Americans awoke to another air traffic tragedy this week.—
Robert Poole,
Washington Post,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But Felder also feared that the attack would provoke unprecedented violence against Palestinians, and believed that being Jewish required adhering to certain moral precepts.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
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Analysts have warned such a move could provoke wider retaliation and further destabilize shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant share of the world’s oil supply passes.—
Steve Mollman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Pain upon waking A good mattress provides ample support for your spine and joints.—
Sharon Brandwein,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2026
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Firefighters say working smoke alarms woke a family as a fire tore through their home's garage Friday morning.—
Cecilio Padilla,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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According to Meacham and Page, Reagan finally, and only after all other major candidates had dropped out of the race, intended to give a rousing speech supporting Bush at a black-tie gala on May 11th.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Apr. 2026
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Hope rouses life to continue, to expand, to grow, to reach out, to go on.—
Erin Jensen,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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And there were a number of terrorist organizations that sought to encourage the British to leave, thus creating a united Ireland.—
Colm Tóibín,
The New York Review of Books,
4 Apr. 2026
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Teammates encouraged her and one even lifted her chin, but the damage was done.—
David Brandt,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Icon Park attraction will limit capacity, dim lighting, lower the music and disable stimulating exhibits.—
Dewayne Bevil,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 Apr. 2026
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Katzenback recommends four sets of five repetitions with heavy weights to stimulate bone growth.—
Hadia Zainab,
CNN Money,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Arouse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arouse. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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