rousing

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

Synonyms of rousing

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

Examples of rousing in a Sentence

She was met with a rousing reception.

a rousing rendition of our national anthem

Recent Examples on the Web

While the result of the game ended on a whimper for the home team — Florida lost 5-1 as the New York Rangers’ Mika Zibanejad scored a hat trick and Artemi Panarin logged two goals of his own — the night itself was a rousing success. —Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 3 Jan. 2026

The resulting picture is tremendously enjoyable, riveting and rousing and tragic in equal measure, with numerous sequences that remain iconic to this day. —Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 31 Dec. 2025

The Chiefs officially secured $2 billion in public funding, and then entered the news conference to a rousing standing ovation as some sort of appreciation for accepting it. —Sam McDowell 23, Kansas City Star, 23 Dec. 2025

Providence Mayor Brett Smiley and Providence Police Chief Oscar Perez received a rousing applause at Friday night's men's college basketball game between Providence and Seton Hall. —Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 20 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

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