rousing

1 of 2

adjective

rous·​ing ˈrau̇-ziŋ 

1

a

: giving rise to excitement : stirring

a rousing speech

b

: brisk, lively

… the good, old-fashioned custom of evening weddings with a rousing dance afterwards …

—Lucy Maud Montgomery

2

: exceptional, superlative

a rousing success

rousingly adverb

rousing

2 of 2

present participle of rouse entry 1

Synonyms of rousing

Adjective

• breathtaking
• exciting
• thrilling
• interesting
• inspiring
• intriguing

Examples of rousing in a Sentence

Adjective

She was met with a rousing reception.

a rousing rendition of our national anthem

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The 21,269 fans in Kauffman Stadium gave Perez a rousing ovation, even as the Royals began the game down 1-0 after the first. — Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 22 Sep. 2026

Segafredo Segafredo L’Originale, a rousing Italian-style cafe and bar that also opened at the dawn of the millennium on Lincoln Road, lasted 26 years, until May. — Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 18 Sep. 2026

Anything unexpectedly or especially moving, rousing, funny or strange, things that go against the grain of a production that wants to keep things controlled in order to bring the ship in on time. — Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026

Star Nick Nolte got an extra-rousing cheer when he was presented at the beginning of the screening. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 8 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1576, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for rousing

• browsing
• housing
• rehousing
• arousing
• carousing
• espousing
• warehousing

Kids Definition

rousing

adjective

rous·​ing

ˈrau̇-ziŋ

1

: having the power to rouse one

sang a rousing hymn

a rousing speech

2

: very good : exceptional

a rousing business