arouses
Kindles into action
Arouses is the third-person singular form of arouse, which means to stir something into activity or awareness.
The word applies across a range of contexts: you can arouse suspicion, arouse curiosity, or arouse someone from sleep.
In its most charged sense, arouse means to excite sexually: The scene was clearly designed to arouse.
What unites these uses is the idea of bringing something dormant—whether emotion, attention, or desire—into a wakeful state.
Incites a reaction
- incitesUrges toward action
- sparksFiery particles from friction
- triggersCauses or activates
- stirsBlends by circling
kindles · ignites · galvanizes · spurs · motivates · inspires · elicits · evokes
State of eager enthusiasm
- angerIntense hostile emotion
- jealousyResentful desire for another's advantages
- curiosityDesire to learn
- sympathyCompassionate understanding of others
fear · suspicion · resentment · indignation · fury · outrage · enthusiasm · interest
Pull toward something
- seductionEnticing someone romantically
- temptationUrge toward the unwise
- allureAttractive, tempting quality
- lustIntense carnal appetite
longing · yearning · craving · sensuality · eroticism · libido · passion · infatuation
provokes
Incites a reaction
stirs · kindles · ignites · galvanizes · spurs · motivates · inspires · elicits · evokes · prompts
excitement
State of eager enthusiasm
- angerIntense hostile emotion
- jealousyResentful desire for another's advantages
- curiosityDesire to learn
sympathy · fear · suspicion · resentment · indignation · fury · outrage · enthusiasm · interest · concern
attraction
Pull toward something
- seductionEnticing someone romantically
- temptationUrge toward the unwise
- allureAttractive, tempting quality
lust · longing · yearning · craving · sensuality · eroticism · libido · passion · infatuation · titillation
waking
Regaining consciousness from sleep
- stirringArousing strong emotion
- consciousnessState of sentient awareness
- alertnessActive mental awareness
morning · alarm · sunrise · revival · awakening · sleeper · dormant · slumber · drowsy · coming to
arousescalms
Reduces agitation
soothes · sedates · tranquilizes · pacifies · quiets
arousesputs to sleep
Causes unconsciousness or rest
lulls · sedates · knocks out · anesthetizes
- sexual arousalBodily response to attraction
- emotional arousalIntensified psychological feeling state
arouse, aroused, arousal, arousing, arouser, unaroused, arousals, arousable