arouse wonder

USAGE SUMMARY

"arouse wonder" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when describing something that inspires curiosity or amazement. For example: "The magician's performance managed to arouse wonder in the audience." Alternative expressions include "spark curiosity" and "evoke amazement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Black people were, for the most part, unthreatening curiosities; those who displayed intellectual distinction tended to arouse wonder rather than resentment.

The New Yorker

When Auden chose Ashbery's first volume for the Yale Series of Younger Poets, he wrote O'Hara a thoughtful rejection, saying, "I think you (and John, too, for that matter) must watch what is always the great danger with any 'surrealistic' style, namely of confusing authentic nonlogical relations which arouse wonder with accidental ones which arouse mere surprise and in the end fatigue".

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

His speech arouses wonder as to how the best sort of stenographer, who takes down by sounds and not by sense, is not wholly baffled in the South, where "You gentlemen must apportion your time" is converted into "Yo' ge'men must appo'tion yo' taiaime," with a magnificent vibrato on the diphthongs and a strong melodic line to the whole.

The New Yorker

In every district, especially those scarred by an industrial past, councillors point towards Gateshead and ask: "Can we have one of those?" Certainly, this question seems to have driven London's mayor, Boris Johnson, to celebrate the 2012 London Olympics with "something to arouse curiosity and wonder".

The Guardian - Opinion

No wonder it aroused curiosity about where it would choreographically spin to next.

The New York Times

Projecting wholesomeness along with a hint of the perverse, she could strategically unbutton that tightly corseted persona in a manner designed to make the sympathetically aroused viewer wonder: What's a nice Victorian girl like this doing in a sadistic place like Hitchcock's "Notorious"?

The New York Times - Books

So if you are reading this and getting overly aroused, or wondering if your partner might be an "energetic"... think about your next kiss.

Huffington Post

While these relatively new technologies may arouse the wonder of people at the capabilities of humans, they nonetheless pale in comparison to the achievements of bats in these domains.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

They're both childish and childlike; the sense of wonder they arouse is due in part to Hess's impeccable visual pitch, in part to their place in narrative.

The New Yorker

"That's what arouses those feelings of wonder and mysticism and gratitude in me".

The New York Times

No wonder such misconduct arouses white-hot anger.The current British mood is unusually lethal: to simplify, it mixes Sicilian levels of cynicism with a Swedish rage for transparency, in a country that no longer does deference.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "arouse wonder" to describe experiences, phenomena, or artistic creations that evoke a sense of amazement and curiosity, prompting deeper thought or exploration. For example, "The intricate details of the ancient artifact aroused wonder in the archaeologists."

Common error

Avoid overusing "arouse wonder" when a simpler word like "interest" or "surprise" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily ornate or pretentious. Choose the most direct and clear language to convey your meaning effectively.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "arouse wonder" functions as a verb phrase where "arouse" is a transitive verb and "wonder" serves as its object. It signifies the action of causing a feeling of amazement and curiosity. As confirmed by Ludwig, this usage is correct and found in various reliable sources.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "arouse wonder" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe the act of inspiring amazement and curiosity. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is valid and is most frequently found in News & Media and Scientific sources. While it is not a highly common phrase, it effectively conveys a sense of awe and is often used in neutral to formal contexts. When writing, consider using simpler alternatives if the context doesn't require a profound or elevated tone. By understanding its proper usage, you can effectively incorporate "arouse wonder" into your writing to create a sense of amazement and fascination.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inspire awe

Focuses more on the feeling of respect and reverence, shifting the emphasis from mere curiosity to deep admiration.

spark curiosity

Emphasizes the beginning of interest and investigation, differing by highlighting the initial trigger of inquisitiveness.

ignite amazement

Conveys a sudden and intense feeling of surprise and wonder, adding an element of intensity not present in the original phrase.

evoke fascination

Highlights the captivating and intriguing nature of something, suggesting a prolonged and deep interest.

stimulate curiosity

Stresses the act of encouraging interest, differing by indicating a deliberate effort to provoke inquisitiveness.

foster amazement

Indicates nurturing or cultivating a sense of wonder, differing by suggesting a gradual development of the feeling.

generate awe

Focuses on the production or creation of a feeling of profound respect and wonder, shifting the emphasis to the effect rather than the cause.

kindle wonder

Emphasizes the act of igniting or awakening a sense of marvel, differing by suggesting a gentle and subtle arousal of wonder.

create fascination

Focuses on the production of a captivating interest, differing by highlighting the deliberate creation of intrigue.

induce marvel

Stresses the act of causing or bringing about a feeling of astonishment, differing by emphasizing the causative aspect.

FAQs

How can I use "arouse wonder" in a sentence?

The phrase "arouse wonder" is used to describe something that inspires a feeling of awe, curiosity, or amazement. For example, "The magician's illusions "arouse wonder" in the audience".

What can I say instead of "arouse wonder"?

You can use alternatives like "inspire awe", "spark curiosity", or "evoke fascination" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "arouse wonder" or "spark wonder"?

While both phrases are acceptable, "arouse wonder" implies a more profound and intense feeling than "spark wonder". "Spark wonder" suggests a beginning of interest, while "arouse wonder" suggests a deeper, more developed sense of amazement.

What's the difference between "arouse wonder" and "arouse curiosity"?

"Arouse wonder" typically suggests a sense of awe and amazement, while "arouse curiosity" focuses more on sparking interest and a desire to learn or investigate. The former is a broader, more emotional response, while the latter is more specific and intellectual.