arouse
Americanverb (used with object)
-
arouses,
present (3rd person singular)
-
aroused,
past participle, past
-
arousing
present participle
verb (used without object)
-
arouses,
present (3rd person singular)
-
aroused,
past participle, past
-
arousing
present participle
verb
-
(tr) to evoke or elicit (a reaction, emotion, or response); stimulate
-
to awaken from sleep
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
-
arousabilitynoun
-
arousalnoun
-
arousernoun
-
rearouseverb
-
arousableadjective
-
unarousableadjective
-
unarousingadjective
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
arousesimple
-
arousessimple
-
have arousedperfect
-
has arousedperfect
-
am arousingprogressive
-
are arousingprogressive
-
is arousingprogressive
-
have been arousingperfect progressive
-
has been arousingperfect progressive
Past
-
arousedsimple
-
had arousedperfect
-
was arousingprogressive
-
were arousingprogressive
-
had been arousingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of arouse
Explanation
Although the verb arouse basically means "to wake up," it is usually not accomplished with an alarm clock. A patriotic song might arouse your love of country, and a new idea might arouse your imagination. The word comes from an Old French word meaning "stir up, awaken," and anything that arouses your mind or heart can awaken something in you; for example, the prospect of an exciting experience may arouse your sense of adventure. Arouse can also be used with negative feelings. A sneaky look might arouse your suspicion, or rejection might arouse a sense of bitterness. However, usually, arouse carries with it a sense of excitement, of bringing something to life.
Vocabulary lists containing arouse
Talk Like Shakespeare Day, List 5
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Travels with Charley
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Ch'i-lin Purse
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
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.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 25, 2025
“Depositing the money all at once would probably arouse less suspicion with the bank than making a continuing series of deposits just under $10,000,” says Mark Luscombe, principal analyst for Wolters Kluwer Tax & Accounting.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 9, 2025
Ethan must hide his intentions so as to not arouse suspicion, but his behavior is highly irregular, and folks who know him notice.
From Salon ● Dec. 13, 2024
Mr Kane, who was charged with possessing written material intended or likely to stir up hatred or arouse fear, was released on bail under conditions.
From BBC ● Aug. 12, 2024
These are the sedans used by team players for transportation around the city—but still, best not to arouse suspicions.
From "Warcross" by Marie Lu
Instead he creates drama or a crisis, arouses a counterforce, attacks this new enemy, experiences fear—will my luck hold?—defeats the new enemy, feels relief, relaxes.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 13, 2026
It arouses particularly strong emotions in a city which prides itself on its architectural conservation.
From BBC ● Jul. 11, 2025
Observing, handling and smelling real dried mealworms reduces their disgust and arouses their curiosity.
From Salon ● Mar. 19, 2023
Similarly the terms “death tax” versus “estate tax” arouses different emotions … and the list goes on and on.
From Seattle Times ● Mar. 16, 2023
My voice took on the strident tone of virtuous outrage which automatically arouses suspicion.
From "Travels with Charley in Search of America" by John Steinbeck
Because of the suspicions aroused by the complaints, she said, she lost a job.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 30, 2026
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 ● Dec. 26, 2025
But this aroused suspicion, with Imrie said later: "Nick selflessly came to help me in my grave before even looking for his shield. And I'm thinking, he's absolutely adorable or he is up to something."
From BBC ● Oct. 18, 2025
Yet Hansen has since aroused controversy, such as when he argued in 2000 that non-carbon dioxide greenhouse gases like methane play a large role in climate change.
From Salon ● Feb. 6, 2025
Only bits and pieces—a gesture or a long but isolated tirade—caught my attention or aroused my interest.
From "The Stranger" by Albert Camus
"The continuation of the trial is tearing us apart from within, arousing fierce divisions, intensifying rifts."
From Barron's ● Nov. 30, 2025
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.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 1, 2025
Their only sin, as things stand, is arousing disgust.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 1, 2025
Mr Hastings said her peculiar nature meant she could say things without arousing much suspicion.
From BBC ● Oct. 11, 2024
An act of great wizardry is not worked without arousing such men, and they had ways of coming very swiftly when need called, though none had been so swift as the Archmage.
From "A Wizard of Earthsea" by Ursula K. Le Guin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
