arouse

[uh-rouz]

verb (used with object)

aroused, arousing 

1. to stir to action or strong response; excite.

   to arouse a crowd;

   to arouse suspicion.

   Synonyms: fire, kindle, stimulate, instigate, provoke, incite, inspire, inspirit, animate
   Antonyms: calm

2. to stimulate sexually.

3. to awaken; wake up.

   The footsteps aroused the dog.

verb (used without object)

aroused, arousing 

1. to awake or become aroused.

   At dawn the farmers began to arouse.

arouse

/ əˈraʊz /

verb

1. (tr) to evoke or elicit (a reaction, emotion, or response); stimulate

2. to awaken from sleep

Other Word Forms

• arousal noun
• arouser noun
• arousability noun
• arousable adjective
• rearouse verb
• unarousable adjective
• unarousing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of arouse¹

First recorded in 1585–95; a- ³ + rouse ¹, modeled on arise

Example Sentences

Earlier in its voyage, the vessel passed by Denmark at around the time of the drone incursions, which began late on Sept. 22, arousing the suspicion of investigators, a French official said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Some lawyers who have worked on crypto-treasury deals say information leaks can not only arouse insider trading suspicions but also actually be harmful for pricing transactions.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The novels of Dame Jilly Cooper, who has died at the age of 88, are joyous descriptions of a fantasy world where monied men cast smouldering glances and women are instantly aroused.

Read more on BBC

However, the judge said he posed a "significant risk of reoffending" and that he became "visibly aroused" by asking the girl to kiss another child.

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The following day, he attempted to kiss the girl, placed his hand on her thigh and became "visibly aroused" when asking her to kiss her friend.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• awaken 
• foment 
• incite 
• inflame 
• instigate 
• kindle 
• provoke 
• rouse 
• spark 
• spur 
• stimulate 
• stir 
• whip up