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

So that immediately roused my suspicion that maybe the casing was left in the car. —Stephanie Nolasco, Fox News, 14 Sep. 2024

There’s a whole subplot about Moth being mistaken for a look-a-like poet that culminates in a payoff that’s more orchestrated than rousing. —Courtney Howard, Variety, 13 Sep. 2024

Pain and terror rouse him from his habituation, the domestic life that dulls. —Parul Sehgal, The New Yorker, 9 Sep. 2024

On the morning of May 13, she was roused by his flailing limbs. —Max Blau, ProPublica, 8 Sep. 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