aroused
Americanadjective
-
stirred up to strong response.
The Legislature must answer for its actions to an informed and highly aroused public.
-
showing or feeling sexual excitement.
"I must ask you that question more often, husband," she says, an aroused glow in her eyes.
-
awake and alert.
In this long arctic winter the new moon makes me lethargic, and conversely the full moon keeps me pleasantly aroused and energetic.
verb
Other Word Forms
- unaroused adjective
- well-aroused adjective
Etymology
Origin of aroused
Explanation
Use aroused to describe someone who is emotionally stirred up. The crowd at the protest march might be so aroused with passion that you can almost feel it through the television screen. Aroused has rouse at its root, an Old French hawking and hunting term that described a hawk ruffling its feathers. Aroused also means sexually excited. Your mastiff is aroused by the neighbor's beagle, who is in heat. You and the neighbor will have to keep the dogs apart for several days or you may end up as "grandparents" to some interesting looking puppies.
Vocabulary lists containing aroused
Beowulf vocabulary
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!
"The Sporting Spirit"
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!
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.
Stephen's reactions may not have aroused suspicion, but Hugo's did.
From BBC • Jan. 23, 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
They did not look as gaunt as the hostages freed a week earlier - their appearance had aroused anger in Israel and elsewhere.
From BBC • Feb. 15, 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
She didn't tell her husband about the stillbirth, which aroused suspicion.
From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson
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.
