as in energizing
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
1
as in waking
to cause to stop sleeping
the rooster's crow aroused me from my deep sleep
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arousing
Verb
-
And so there have been no occasions when your security detail had difficulty waking or locating you.—
NBC news,
NBC news,
17 May 2026
-
Some of the Richins' children described waking in fear the day their father died and being mistreated by Kouri Richins in statements read by their counselors.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
In Hocus Pocus, Dani, her older brother Max (Omri Katz) and his crush Allison (Vinessa Shaw) have to save the children of Salem, Massachusetts after accidentally awaking the witch Sanderson sisters from their 300-year slumber.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Tirso Ornelas’ seventh-inning grand slam triggered a late-game awaking as Triple-A El Paso beat host Sugar Land 13-2 on Wednesday.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
On May 18, Venus will conclude its journey through the flirtatious and thought-provoking sign of Gemini and enter the sentimental and hopeless romantic sign of Cancer.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
18 May 2026
-
The neighborhood’s creative spirit shines at Cam Raleigh, a dynamic contemporary art space with thought-provoking works rooted in community and regional narratives.—
Kristy Tolley,
Travel + Leisure,
16 May 2026
Adjective
-
In an age when companies spend trillions on transformation programs only to see most of them fail, two Amazon Web Services veterans have written what may be the most stimulating management book of 2026.—
Steve Denning,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
-
Most substances of abuse—from cocaine to alcohol—lead to a surge of dopamine in the basal ganglia when these drugs are initially encountered and their stimulating effects are not predictable.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
What the Cortisol Awakening Response Actually Is The cortisol awakening response is the rapid surge of cortisol across the first 30 to 45 minutes after waking, per a January 2025 review in Endocrine Reviews.—
Allison Palmer,
Kansas City Star,
6 May 2026
-
As temperatures climb and trees bud with the arrival of spring, a native frog species is awakening after months being frozen and nearly dead.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
There were also fans of nearby college teams cheering on their guys, plus some participants’ encouraging families.—
Dan Greene,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
-
There had been encouraging noises on a pursuit for the Brazilian, but the longer the summer went on, the colder the trail grew.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
Adjective
-
The creator-star of The Studio was seen wiping away tears in videos shared to social media from inside the premiere screening during a rousing standing ovation.—
Jack Smart,
PEOPLE,
14 May 2026
-
Tocchet’s first season with the Flyers was a rousing success on several levels, in his opinion.—
Kevin Kurz,
New York Times,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
Tanner Boyden, an affable thirtysomething, led an invigorating vinyasa class.—
Priyanka Mattoo,
Travel + Leisure,
10 May 2026
-
For a truly energizing experience, the signature Water Ritual incorporates a dry sauna, cold deluge shower and wet steam with an invigorating scrub, culminating with dips in the hot and cold plunge pools.—
Robb Report Studio,
Robb Report,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Arousing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arousing. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
