arouse

Verb

arouse (third-person singular simple present arouses, present participle arousing, simple past and past participle aroused)

1. (transitive) To stimulate or induce (feelings); pique.
   • to arouse compassion, jealousy, or anger
   • Those insults aroused me to anger.

   Synonyms:

   animate, energize, inspire, fire, awaken, beghast, leaven, bright, brighten, cheer

2. (transitive) To sexually stimulate.
   • […] grinding against their partners like burlesque performers, which even in parody Terry found erotic—reminding him of the Persian belly dancer he'd seen at the college, whose sensual dancing aroused him despite her claim of high art.2006, Donald J. Young, Dancing by the Shore, page 12

   Synonyms:

   sex up, turn on, titillate

   1. (euphemistic, transitive) To cause an erection of the penis or other physical signs of sexual arousal, such as fluid secretion.
      • I can't wear wool underwear: it tends to arouse me at inappropriate times.
3. (transitive) To wake from sleep or stupor; to rouse.
   • He kenned not whether it was devil or mortal, but flung himself on the roadside and lay like a corp for an hour or more, till the rain aroused him.1902, John Buchan, The Outgoing of the Tide
   • I have no idea who you are, but I thank you for arousing me.1996, Beruga (line translated by Dan Owsen), Terranigma. Nintendo of America.

   Synonyms:

   bring round, wake up, awake, awaken, cry, knock up, rouse, roust, uprouse, wake