rouse

1 of 3

verb

ˈrau̇z 

roused; rousing

transitive verb

1

a

: 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

rousement

ˈrau̇z-mənt 

noun

rouser noun

rouse

2 of 3

noun (1)

: an act or instance of rousing

especially : an excited stir

rouse

3 of 3

noun (2)

1

archaic : carousal

2

obsolete : drink, toast

Synonyms

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

Night approaches morning, whispering a rousing greeting. —Manuel Muñoz, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025

Well, for one, the go-to induction method is being roused from your bed in the middle of the night, hog-tied, and tossed in a van. —Ben Travers, IndieWire, 9 Sep. 2025

With a rousing success under its belt from its last test flight, SpaceX is now preparing for the next launch of its giant Starship rocket. —Josh Dinner, Space.com, 8 Sep. 2025

Hot from a rousing Venice world premiere of The Smashing Machine, writer-director Benny Safdie and Dwayne Johnson are planning a quick reteam in another film, Lizard Music. —Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 8 Sep. 2025

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

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