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

The surreal prospect of U.S. and European allies shooting at each other on Greenland sent stock and bond markets sliding, arousing fears that European investors in U.S. government debt could back away.

From The Wall Street Journal

Stephen's reactions may not have aroused suspicion, but Hugo's did.

From BBC

So he creates drama, he attacks, arouses counter-forces, feels fear—will my luck hold?—defeats the enemy, claims triumph and relaxes.

From The Wall Street Journal

Crans-Montana, too, has aroused that same angry feeling of trust betrayed.

From BBC

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

Related Words

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