rouse

1 of 4

verb

ˈrau̇z 

roused; rousing

transitive verb

1

a

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

roused the campers for a hike at dawn

b

: to stir up : excite

was roused to fury

2

archaic : to cause to break from cover

intransitive verb

1

: to become aroused : awaken

rousing late on a Saturday

2

: to become stirred

… before she could rouse from this insult …

—Grace Kinnicutt

rousement

ˈrau̇z-mənt 

noun

rouser noun

rouse

2 of 4

noun (1)

: an act or instance of rousing

especially : an excited stir

rouse

3 of 4

noun (2)

1

archaic : carousal

2

obsolete : drink, toast

rouser

4 of 4

noun (3)

rous·​er

ˈrau̇zə(r)

plural -s

: one that rouses: such as

a

: one that awakens or excites

b

: an implement for stirring a fermenting brew

c

: something superlative of its kind : humdinger

a real rouser of a storm

—Robert Louis Taylor

Synonyms of rouse

Verb

• wake
• awaken
• awake
• arouse

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

Pulisic entered the game to a rousing cheer at the 58-minute mark, replacing Tim Weah. — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 26 June 2026

The bergamot opens bright; my favorite note, neroli, gives it a crisp, happy center, and a rousing patchouli base roosts for hours without ever turning heavy. — Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 25 June 2026

Feig’s speech drew rousing cheers from the crowd at the festival, which also handed out career honors to Chloë Sevigny and multihyphenate duo Rashida Jones and Will McCormack. — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 22 June 2026

At the behest of Strathie’s family, fans also honored the longtime Tartan Army member with rousing applause in the 76th minute. — Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 20 June 2026

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

Noun (3)

1611, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for rouse

• blouse
• bouse
• douse
• dowse
• grouse
• haus
• louse
• mouse
• spouse
• youse
• alehouse
• almshouse

Kids Definition

rouse

verb

ˈrau̇z

roused; rousing

1

: awake entry 1 sense 1

2

: to make or become active : stir up