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rouse

verb
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\ ˈrau̇z How to pronounce rouse (audio) \
roused; rousing

Definition of rouse

 (Entry 1 of 3)

transitive verb

1a : 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

rouse

noun (1)

Definition of rouse (Entry 2 of 3)

: an act or instance of rousing especially : an excited stir

rouse

noun (2)

Definition of rouse (Entry 3 of 3)

1 archaic : carousal
2 obsolete : drink, toast
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Other Words from rouse

Verb

rousement \ ˈrau̇z-​mənt How to pronounce rousement (audio) \ noun
rouser noun

Synonyms & Antonyms for rouse

Synonyms: Verb

Antonyms: Verb

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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.
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First Known Use of rouse

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

History and Etymology for rouse

Verb

Middle English, to shake the feathers

Noun (2)

alteration (from misdivision of to drink carouse) of carouse

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Time Traveler for rouse

Time Traveler

The first known use of rouse was in 1531

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Statistics for rouse

Cite this Entry

“Rouse.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rouse. Accessed 13 December 2019.

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More Definitions for rouse

rouse

verb
How to pronounce rouse (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of rouse

somewhat formal
: to wake (someone) from sleep
: to cause (someone who is tired or not interested) to become active
: to cause (an emotional response) in someone

See the full definition for rouse in the English Language Learners Dictionary

rouse

verb
\ ˈrau̇z How to pronounce rouse (audio) \
roused; rousing

Kids Definition of rouse

1 : awake entry 1 sense 1 Lucy was such a light sleeper that stepping on a creaky floorboard … could easily rouse her.— Kevin Henkes, Olive's Ocean
2 : to stir up : excite The idea roused great interest.

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More from Merriam-Webster on rouse

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for rouse

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with rouse

Spanish Central: Translation of rouse

Nglish: Translation of rouse for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of rouse for Arabic Speakers

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