arousal
noun
arous·al
ə-ˈrau̇-zəl 
plural arousals
1
: the act of arousing someone or something
arousal from sleep
This belated arousal of the hunting instinct seemed to make almost another man of him.—
Jack London
: the state of being aroused
Jack LondonHis work with animals had implicated adrenaline and noradrenaline in emotional arousal and memory.—Daniel Goleman
Daniel Goleman2
: a state of physiological and psychological excitation caused by sexual contact or other erotic stimulation
Studies show 60% of patients taking the drugs experience some form of sexual dysfunction, ranging from loss of desire to problems with arousal and an inability to reach orgasm.—Tara Parker-Pope
Tara Parker-PopeExamples of arousal in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Light kink—like spanking, kink nails, praise kink with a gentle choke or warm/cool sensation play can amplify arousal and build trust.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 8 Apr. 2025
Now Warning Issued To All iPhone Users NYT Mini Today: Hints, Clues And Answers For Wednesday, April 2
Cory Booker Breaks Record With 25-Hour Speech Blasting Trump
Without realizing it, drama can become an unconscious way to maintain that familiar state of arousal.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
Promising to enhance intimacy and improve arousal naturally, this product is making waves among those looking to reignite passion in their relationships.
—Chloe Castleberry, Flow Space, 26 Mar. 2025
But doing vigorous exercise in the moment when you’re already feeling enraged can actually keep that feeling alive by prolonging the physiological arousal state of being angry, Dr. Martin explains.
—Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for arousal
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Dominique Fluker, Essence, 8 Apr. 2025
Now Warning Issued To All iPhone Users NYT Mini Today: Hints, Clues And Answers For Wednesday, April 2
Cory Booker Breaks Record With 25-Hour Speech Blasting Trump
Without realizing it, drama can become an unconscious way to maintain that familiar state of arousal.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
Promising to enhance intimacy and improve arousal naturally, this product is making waves among those looking to reignite passion in their relationships.
—Chloe Castleberry, Flow Space, 26 Mar. 2025
But doing vigorous exercise in the moment when you’re already feeling enraged can actually keep that feeling alive by prolonging the physiological arousal state of being angry, Dr. Martin explains.
—Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for arousal
Cite this Entry
“Arousal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/arousal. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
arousal
noun
arous·al
ə-ˈrau̇-zəl
1
2
: a state of physiological and psychological excitation caused by sexual contact or other erotic stimulation
Studies show 60% of patients taking the drugs experience some form of sexual dysfunction, ranging from loss of desire to problems with arousal …—Tara Parker-Pope, The Wall Street Journal
Tara Parker-Pope, The Wall Street JournalLove words? Need even more definitions?
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