rouse

1 of 3

verb

ˈrau̇z 

roused; rousing

transitive verb

1

a

: to arouse from or as if from sleep or repose : awaken

b

: to stir up : excite

was roused to fury

2

archaic : to cause to break from cover

intransitive verb

1

: to become aroused : awaken

2

: to become stirred

rousement

ˈrau̇z-mənt 

noun

rouser noun

rouse

2 of 3

noun (1)

: an act or instance of rousing

especially : an excited stir

rouse

3 of 3

noun (2)

1

archaic : carousal

2

obsolete : drink, toast

Synonyms

Verb

• arouse
• awake
• awaken
• knock up [British]
• wake
• waken

Examples of rouse in a Sentence

Verb

I've been unable to rouse her.

I was so tired I could barely rouse myself to prepare dinner.

These animals are dangerous when roused.

She was roused to anger by their indifference.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Director Ava DuVernay transports us back to mid-1960s Alabama in this rousing drama, where Martin Luther King Jr. (David Oyelowo) and his compatriots make strides to provide equal voting rights for Black citizens. —Keith Staskiewicz, EW.com, 26 June 2024

The video opens with Nia rousing from her sleep in her family home, amid the howling wind rolling across the mountain range. —Sara Merican, Deadline, 24 June 2024

The Hot Girl Summer tour has been a rousing success, especially her stop in New York. —Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 17 June 2024

Edmonton had its party Saturday, from Canadian singer Shania Twain performing before the game to a rousing cheer in the final minutes when fans in Panthers jerseys were shown on the scoreboard Jumbotron leaving for the exits. —Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 16 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, to shake the feathers

Noun (2)

alteration (from misdivision of to drink carouse) of carouse

First Known Use

Verb

1531, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Noun (1)

1764, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

circa 1593, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

rouse

verb

ˈrau̇z

roused; rousing

1

: awake entry 1 sense 1

2

: to make or become active : stir up