arouse

American  

[uh-rouz] / əˈraʊz /

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.

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verb (used without object)

aroused, arousing

1. to awake or become aroused.

   At dawn the farmers began to arouse.

arouse British  

/ əˈraʊz /

verb

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

2. to awaken from sleep

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of arouse

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

Example Sentences

After charming his way into the house of a couple who believed his tale and gave him thousands of euros, he eventually aroused their suspicions.

From BBC

It enables Alexander to be briefed and to update his handlers, though he can’t stay in there too long, lest suspicions be aroused on the other side of the hack.

From The Wall Street Journal

I recall the intense inner excitement aroused in my heart by Alla Nazimova’s enactment of Mrs. Alving in a performance of Ibsen’s “Ghosts” in the 1930s.

From The Wall Street Journal

"When you see a student who clearly struggled with the language and they submit an essay which William Shakespeare would have been proud of, then immediately that's going to arouse suspicion."

From BBC

"The continuation of the trial is tearing us apart from within, arousing fierce divisions, intensifying rifts," the premier said in a video statement, referring to the split between his supporters and opponents.

From Barron's

Related Words

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