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

Among them were images of the designer enjoying all the city had to offer, including a rousing rendition of karaoke that earned him a standing ovation. — Zachary Weiss, Robb Report, 2 Nov. 2026

While Haliburton received a rousing ovation during player introductions, Indiana's play soon turned those cheers into boos. — ABC News, 23 Oct. 2026

At the start of 2026, Democrats taking back the House and running competitively for the Senate across a daunting map might have been seen as a rousing recovery from the Party’s poor state two years ago. — Susan B. Glasser, New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2026

The final product is a rousing, brisk, and genuinely inspiring biopic that never feels like homework. — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 12 Oct. 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