rouse

[ rouz ]

/ raʊz /

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See synonyms for: rouse / roused / rousing on Thesaurus.com

Definition of rouse

verb (used with object), roused, rous·ing.

to bring out of a state of sleep, unconsciousness, inactivity, fancied security, apathy, depression, etc.: He was roused to action by courageous words.

to stir or incite to strong indignation or anger.

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

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

verb (used without object), roused, rous·ing.

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

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

noun

a rousing.

a signal for rousing; reveille.

OTHER WORDS FOR rouse

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

2 provoke, anger.

See synonyms for rouse on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR rouse

1 lull, calm, pacify.

See antonyms for rouse on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of rouse

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

synonym study for rouse

1, 2. See incite.

OTHER WORDS FROM rouse

rous·ed·ness

[rou-zid-nis], /ˈraʊ zɪd nɪs/, nounrouser, nounun·roused, adjective

Words nearby rouse

roundworm, roup, roupy, Rourke, Rous, rouse, rouseabout, rouser, rousing, Rous sarcoma, Rousseau

Other definitions for rouse (2 of 2)

rouse²

[ rouz ]

/ raʊz /

noun

Archaic. a carouse.

Obsolete. a bumper of liquor.

Origin of rouse

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use rouse in a sentence

At last, a cause that could rouse it to action: defending the honor of campaign contributors.
How Obama Can Use Executive Actions to Improve Our Democracy|Michael Waldman|April 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They startle viewers, rouse viewers, occasionally put off and occasionally turn on viewers.
‘Veep’ Is a F*@king Masterclass in Cursing|Kevin Fallon|April 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He said he had lunch with Pete Rouse, a longtime aide who came with him from the Senate.
Obama Counters an Agitated Press Corps With Optimism|Eleanor Clift|December 20, 2013|DAILY BEAST
By listening in on their conversation, we get to know the narrator, Asa Baker-Rouse, and the filmmaker, Bianca Giaever.
Vimeo Presents: The Top 10 Videos of 2013||December 20, 2013|DAILY BEAST

A world away, Kristen Rouse was finishing up a tour in Afghanistan as an Army officer.
Relief Workers Report on Conditions in the Philippines|Peter Meijer|November 15, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Let us go up to Juda, and rouse it up, and draw it away to us, and make the son of Tabeel king in the midst thereof.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version|Various
Mr. Mayne thought they should rouse the household at the first reputable looking dwelling they found.
The Red Year|Louis Tracy
They sent agents into the most degraded quarters of the city to rouse and direct the mob.
Madame Roland, Makers of History|John S. C. Abbott
It will only rouse him up, and make him swear at normal graduates in general, and this one in particular.
The Cromptons|Mary J. Holmes
Nothing could rouse him out of his tame civility, which had been taken more than once for obsequiousness.
Elster's Folly|Mrs. Henry Wood

British Dictionary definitions for rouse (1 of 2)

rouse¹

/ (raʊz) /

verb

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

(tr) to provoke, stir, or exciteto rouse someone's anger

rouse oneself to become active or energetic

hunting to start or cause to start from coverto rouse game birds

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

(raʊs) (intr foll by on) Australian to speak scoldingly or rebukingly (to)

noun

mainly US another term for reveille

Derived forms of rouse

rousedness (ˈraʊzɪdnɪs), noun

Word Origin for rouse

C15 (in sense 5): origin obscure

British Dictionary definitions for rouse (2 of 2)

rouse²

/ (raʊz) /

noun archaic

an alcoholic drink, esp a full measure

another word for carousal

Word Origin for rouse

C17: probably a variant of carouse (as in the phrase drink a rouse, erroneous for drink carouse); compare Danish drikke en rus to become drunk, German Rausch drunkenness

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

rouse

Definition of rouse

OTHER WORDS FOR rouse

OPPOSITES FOR rouse

Origin of rouse

synonym study for rouse

OTHER WORDS FROM rouse

Words nearby rouse

Other definitions for rouse (2 of 2)

Origin of rouse

Words related to rouse

How to use rouse in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for rouse (1 of 2)

Derived forms of rouse

Word Origin for rouse

British Dictionary definitions for rouse (2 of 2)

Word Origin for rouse