rouse

¹ American  

[rouz] / raʊz /

verb (used with object)

roused, rousing

1. to bring out of a state of sleep, unconsciousness, inactivity, fancied security, apathy, depression, etc..

   He was roused to action by courageous words.

   Synonyms:

   inflame, kindle, awaken, stimulate, animate, excite, stir, arouse

   Antonyms:

   pacify, calm, lull

2. to stir or incite to strong indignation or anger.

   Synonyms:

   anger, provoke

3. to cause (game) to start from a covert or lair.

4. Nautical Now Rare. to pull by main strength; haul.

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verb (used without object)

roused, rousing

1. to come out of a state of sleep, unconsciousness, inactivity, apathy, depression, etc.

2. to start up from a covert or lair, as game.

noun

1. a rousing.

2. a signal for rousing; reveille.

rouse ² American  

[rouz] / raʊz /

noun

1. Archaic. a carouse.

2. Obsolete. a bumper of liquor.

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rouse ¹ British  

/ ˈraʊzɪdnɪs, raʊz /

verb

1. to bring (oneself or another person) out of sleep, unconsciousness, etc, or (of a person) to come to consciousness in this way

2. (tr) to provoke, stir, or excite

   to rouse someone's anger

3. to become active or energetic

4. hunting to start or cause to start from cover

   to rouse game birds

5. (intr) falconry (of hawks) to ruffle the feathers and cause them to stand briefly on end (a sign of contentment)

6. to speak scoldingly or rebukingly (to)

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noun

1. another term for reveille

rouse ² British  

/ raʊz /

noun

1. an alcoholic drink, esp a full measure

2. another word for carousal

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Related Words

See incite.

Other Word Forms

• rousedness noun
• rouser noun
• unroused adjective

Etymology

Origin of rouse¹

First recorded in 1425–75 in sense “(of a hawk) to shake the feathers”; 1525–35 rouse ¹ for def. 3; origin uncertain

Origin of rouse²

First recorded in 1590–1600; perhaps variant of carouse ( drink carouse being wrongly analyzed as drink a rouse )

Example Sentences

Music is a reward for efficient work in “Severance,” whether it be a Defiant Jazz dance break or a rousing marching band performance by the Choreography and Merriment department.

From Salon

While the old saying "never say never" is a popular one, Cena has repeatedly said he will be "100% done" - and has received rousing receptions around the world for his final appearances.

From BBC

“Murmurs” is ultimately through with a rousing tabla and drum set dialogue at the end, reminiscent of his father and Shankar’s gripping finales.

From Los Angeles Times

Marseille were expected to get all three points at home to Toulouse but produced a sluggish first-half performance following a rousing Champions League win over Newcastle United in midweek.

From Barron's

But by stretching this story to its absolute limits and removing its darkest components, there is no rousing plume of rage to compel the viewer.

From Salon

Related Words

• agitate
• arouse
• awaken
• disturb
• fire up
• galvanize
• heighten
• incite
• inflame
• kindle
• provoke
• rile
• startle
• stir
• trigger
• wake up
• whip up
• work up