arouse Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb call forth (emotions, feelings, and responses)
    raise; fire; enkindle; elicit; evoke; kindle; provoke.
    • arouse pity
    • raise a smile
    • evoke sympathy
  2. verb stop sleeping
    waken; come alive; wake; awake; awaken; wake up.
    • She woke up to the sound of the alarm clock
  3. verb summon into action or bring into existence, often as if by magic
    raise; invoke; conjure up; bring up; call down; call forth; evoke; put forward; stir; conjure.
    • raise the specter of unemployment
    • he conjured wild birds in the air
    • call down the spirits from the mountain
  4. verb cause to be alert and energetic
    energize; energise; perk up; brace; stimulate.
    • Coffee and tea stimulate me
    • This herbal infusion doesn't stimulate
  5. verb cause to become awake or conscious
    awaken; waken; wake; rouse; wake up.
    • He was roused by the drunken men in the street
    • Please wake me at 6 AM.
  6. verb to begin moving, "As the thunder started the sleeping children began to stir"
    stir.
  7. verb stimulate sexually
    turn on; excite; wind up; sex.
    • This movie usually arouses the male audience

WordNet


A*rouse" transitive verb
Etymology
Pref. a- + rouse.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Aroused present participle & verbal noun Arousing
Definitions
  1. To excite to action from a state of rest; to stir, or put in motion or exertion; to rouse; to excite; as, to arouse one from sleep; to arouse the dormant faculties.
    Grasping his spear, forth issued to arouse His brother, mighty sovereign on the host. Cowper.
    No suspicion was aroused. Merivale.

Webster 1913