AROUSING Synonyms: 134 Similar and Opposite Words

arousing 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of arousing

as in energizing

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

arousing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of arouse

as in waking

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in awaking

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in provoking

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 arousing

Adjective

Adding oils or a warm soak can increase sensitivity and make the experience both soothing and arousing. — Essence, 11 Sep. 2025 Squeezing lube out of a bottle until the cold goop squirts out isn't the most arousing act. — Brenda Stolyar, WIRED, 4 Feb. 2023 Amazon Prime members can also ship items to a locker to avoid arousing suspicions when the parcel is delivered, Valentine Lent said. — Amanda Pérez Pintado, USA TODAY, 15 Dec. 2022 That’s sort of gross, but also a strangely arousing way to describe the painful expansion of self that comes with falling in love. — Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2022 The supervisor also recommended performing the steps two to three hours after trying to interview members of a household to avoid arousing suspicions from higher-ups who could track where census takers had been through their IPhones. — Mike Schneider, Anchorage Daily News, 24 Nov. 2020

Verb

Today, fiery Mars moves to the top of your chart to stay for the next six weeks, arousing your ambition as never before. — Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 9 Apr. 2026 No clear catalyst One reason the surge in oil futures trading is arousing suspicion is that no market-moving announcements were slated for Monday morning, such as government economic releases or speeches from Federal Reserve officials. — Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026 To avoid arousing suspicion, the mission was primarily carried out by ground forces with limited air support from helicopters, Trevilla said. — Gonzalo Zegarra, CNN Money, 24 Feb. 2026 Algorithms tend to prioritize emotionally arousing content, particularly anger, anxiety and outrage. — Robin Pickering, The Conversation, 21 Jan. 2026 Now, Elizabeth and Michael must find a way to send her back to her time, while not arousing the suspicion of Michael’s mother and sister during their family vacation. — Emily Longeretta, Variety, 22 Dec. 2025 But instead of arousing genuine interest, Davuluri’s tweet set off some harsh feedback from at least some users put off by AI. — PC Magazine, 19 Nov. 2025 Mike Evans could return, and the Johnsons (Kameron and Tez) pack arousing upside, but Otton is likely to earn the biggest target spike. — Brad Evans, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025 In fact, studies have found that couples who share novel and arousing activities report greater satisfaction. — Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for arousing

Adjective

For example, lavender is said to have a calming effect, while citrus scents will seem more energizing and lively.

— BestReviews, Mercury News, 17 June 2026

Definition of energizing

Verb

Ensemble sitcoms live and die by their chemistry, so the cast — encouraged by Kronengold and Shaw — spend almost every waking moment together while filming.

— CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 25 Aug. 2026
There are few things more frustrating than waking in the middle of the night feeling hot, sticky and uncomfortable.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of waking

Verb

In Hocus Pocus, Dani, her older brother Max (Omri Katz) and his crush Allison (Vinessa Shaw) have to save the children of Salem, Massachusetts after accidentally awaking the witch Sanderson sisters from their 300-year slumber.

— Glenn Garner, Deadline, 25 Oct. 2025
Tirso Ornelas’ seventh-inning grand slam triggered a late-game awaking as Triple-A El Paso beat host Sugar Land 13-2 on Wednesday.

— Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Sep. 2025

Definition of awaking

Verb

By the mid-nineteenth century, the it-narrative began to interest authors invested less in provoking excitement than in guiding the moral development of their readers.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2026
Ukraine’s recent strikes into Russia also have exposed weaknesses in Russia’s air defenses, which could prompt Putin to think twice about provoking a retaliatory attack.

— Emma Burrows, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of provoking

Adjective

That’s really the most stimulating, but not necessarily on camera.

— Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 11 Aug. 2026
The study doesn’t prove that mentally stimulating activities protect the brain, but the findings fit with a growing body of research suggesting that cognitive engagement helps reduce the risk of dementia.

— Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of stimulating

Verb

Historically, the United States has sent mixed messages to Europeans, encouraging them to step up but then scolding them for seeking autonomy.

— JENNIFER KAVANAGH, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2026
The scarcity itself became part of the appeal, encouraging moviegoers to attend early, return for later editions and share the collectibles online.

— Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of encouraging

Adjective

If this goes as planned, Thompson would follow in the footsteps of Dwyane Wade, whose Heat preretirement reunion was a rousing success, or Ray Allen, who was a key component on a Heat team that won a title and another that made the NBA Finals.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 23 Aug. 2026
Aegon will have none of it and begins his rousing, defiant speech.

— Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of rousing

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arouses

arousing

arraign

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Style

“Arousing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arousing. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of arousing

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

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