AROUSED Synonyms: 199 Similar and Opposite Words

aroused 1 of 2

adjective

as in roused

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Dissimilar Words

as in excited

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Dissimilar Words

aroused

2 of 2

verb

past tense of arouse

as in woke

to cause to stop sleeping the rooster's crow aroused me from my deep sleep

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in awoke

to cease to be asleep set the alarm so we would arouse at 5:00 a.m.

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in provoked

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

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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 aroused

Verb

The song was inspired by his boyfriend, who, when aroused, came over his head. — Harry Tafoya, Pitchfork, 9 July 2026 As virality goes, this is not a big number, but the passion that the account has aroused dwarfs its reach. — David Kamp, New Yorker, 29 June 2026 Overview The emergence of teleSUR has aroused significant interest due to its uniqueness of being the first regional television channel purely financed by more than three Latin American states. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 May 2026 Bell is a revelation as the nebbish, envious and conflictedly aroused Niall — a desperate man hiding from others and himself. — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2026 This aroused suspicion and eventually led to searches of Kamnik’s phone, computer, and external hard drive, which revealed a massive trove of illicit material. — Nate Anderson, ArsTechnica, 9 Apr. 2026 And each movement aroused an urge to move in the woman lying above, as if an avalanche of imperceptible but palpable vibrations had been triggered. — Literary Hub, 7 Apr. 2026 There, the tortoise became visibly aroused seeing another tortoise. — Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 4 Apr. 2026 When a roadster with a rumble seat came out of the fire road and turned west toward Clam Lake, the wardens’ suspicions were aroused. — Dave Duffey, Outdoor Life, 26 Mar. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for aroused

Adjective

Angine desperately returns to the store, again and again, to get her fix from Malaise, her face reddening from blood just below the surface, a canvas of her awakened desire.

— The New Yorker, New Yorker, 21 Nov. 2025

Definition of awakened

Adjective

On the opposite sideline, Trimble Tech Head Coach MK Hamilton entered the season with a more experienced roster and was excited about the leadership his veteran players bring.

— Riley Ledesma, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Aug. 2026
The Atlanta native is excited to carry his dreams and the family name forward.

— PJ Green August 28, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of excited

Verb

Maribeth Graham depicts the overly woke Suzanne, whose whole life is wrapped up in keeping Eureka Day inclusive.

— Oline Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026
London — The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s upcoming return was plastered across UK’s front pages Thursday, as Britons woke to the surprise news that the couple will move back to the country after six years in the United States.

— Max Foster, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of woke

Verb

Some of the incidents have turned violent The latest bear attack in Colorado occurred early Wednesday when a homeless man sleeping in Aspen's Rio Grande Park awoke to find a bear biting his head, according to CPW officials.

— Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026
According to the department, sisters Ava, 5, and Mia, 9, awoke and saw the fire coming from their neighbors’ home.

— David Chiu, PEOPLE, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of awoke

Verb

The comment at a rally last Sunday titillated, provoked and enraged different audiences simultaneously, all but guaranteeing saturation news coverage and even more attention.

— Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
The incidents had provoked international scrutiny of the country’s assault on Gaza.

— Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of provoked

Verb

But Brown gained a step on Mitchell on Thursday and hauled in a touchdown that roused the home crowd.

— Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Around three in the morning, after the evening Kenzo had died, the woman had suddenly woken up, having been roused by the sound of water coming from the house next door.

— Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of roused

Verb

When government applies the rules consistently, businesses have the confidence to invest, innovation is encouraged, public institutions earn greater trust and the public benefits.

— Robin Rossenfeld, Denver Post, 28 Aug. 2026
Anyone with information on the collision is encouraged to contact Officer Giovanni Zaino of the Middletown Police Patrol Division at 860-638-4000, ext 6323.

— Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of encouraged

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“Aroused.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aroused. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of aroused

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

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