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Definitions

rouse

[rouz] / raʊz /
VERB
wake
Synonyms
STRONGEST
arouse awake awaken get up stir wake up
STRONG
call raise rise
Antonyms
STRONGEST
calm deaden go to sleep lull
STRONG
decrease drop ignore lessen lower stop
WEAK
disenchant dull nap sleep
VERB
stimulate, excite
Synonyms
STRONGEST
agitate arouse awaken disturb fire up galvanize heighten incite inflame kindle provoke rile startle stir trigger wake up whip up work up
STRONG
aggravate anger animate bestir bug challenge craze deepen enhance enliven exhilarate foment innervate instigate intensify magnify mount move needle pique quicken rally redouble rise urge vivify wake waken whet
WEAK
ask for it get going innerve intensate key up make waves pep up steam up
Antonyms
STRONGEST
appease calm comfort deter discourage dissuade halt lull make happy pacify please put out quiet soothe stop tranquilize
STRONG
dampen decline decrease dishearten drop dull fall fix lessen lower regress slow slump soften weaken
WEAK
disenchant nap sleep

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

However, if the U.S. bats do not rouse from their slumber, the championship game will be a game the Americans curse forever.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 16, 2026

These alarm clocks have novel ways to rouse deep sleepers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 7, 2026

Product designers are hatching new ways to rouse them that border on diabolical.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 4, 2026

The 40-year-old Wawrinka must try and rouse himself on his Australian Open farewell after a gruelling five-set win in round two.

From Barron's • Jan. 24, 2026

Nothing could rouse her, and every breath was such a painful struggle that the slow rasp of it filled the whole house.

From "The Witch of Blackbird Pond" by Elizabeth George Speare

Vocabulary lists containing rouse

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"Romeo and Juliet" by William Shakespeare, Act IV

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Native Son

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