rousted; rousting; rousts

transitive verb

: to drive (as from bed) roughly or unceremoniously

Examples of roust in a Sentence

The soldiers were rousted from their beds before sunrise.
Recent Examples on the Web The only thing that could roust me from my peaceful slumber was the most grotesque vision imaginable: an undulating river of red lights in front of me. Dave Schilling, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2024 The Wesleyan students join thousands who are protesting on campuses across the U.S. as the Israeli bombardment of Gaza continues in an attempt to roust Hamas terrorists who flooded into southern Israel in October and killed 1,200 people, taking another 240 hostage. Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 28 Apr. 2024 Hamas demonstrators quickly reconstituted their encampment in Columbia’s public spaces on Sunday, daring administrators and law enforcement to roust them again. The Editors, National Review, 22 Apr. 2024 At this point, many comedians would have given up, perhaps abandoning Jarle for better comedy, but Conan needles and cajoles him just enough to roust his spirits. Stephen Rodrick, Variety, 18 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for roust 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'roust.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

alteration of rouse entry 1

First Known Use

1658, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of roust was in 1658

Dictionary Entries Near roust

Cite this Entry

“Roust.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/roust. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

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