rouse

¹rouse

verb \ˈrau̇z\

rousedrous·ing

Definition of ROUSE

transitive verb

1

archaic : to cause to break from cover

2

a : to stir up : excite <was roused to fury> b : to arouse from or as if from sleep or repose : awaken

intransitive verb

1

: to become aroused : awaken

2

: to become stirred

— rouse·ment \ˈrau̇z-mənt\ noun

— rous·er noun

Examples of ROUSE

1. I've been unable to rouse her.
2. I was so tired I could barely rouse myself to prepare dinner.
3. These animals are dangerous when roused.
4. She was roused to anger by their indifference.

Origin of ROUSE

Middle English, to shake the feathers

First Known Use: 1531

Related to ROUSE

Synonyms: arouse, awake, awaken, knock up [British], wake, waken

Antonyms: lull

Related Words: roust, rout; raise, revive; reawaken, rewake; agitate, bestir, disturb, excite, provoke, stimulate, stir

Near Antonyms: hypnotize, mesmerize

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Rhymes with ROUSE

blouse, bowse, browse, douse, dowse, drowse, house, mouse, spouse, touse