rousing

/ˈraʊzɪŋ/

Say it: ROW-zing

1. adjective Exciting and inspiring; causing great enthusiasm or energy.
The candidate ended her campaign with a rousing speech that brought the crowd to its feet.
2. verb The present participle of 'rouse', meaning to awaken or stir to action.
He was responsible for rousing the troops at dawn for their morning drills.

📖 Seen in the wild

The coach delivered a rousing speech that motivated the team to victory.
collected by @vocablast

✏️ rousing in a sentence

The orchestra delivered a rousing performance of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony.
After a rather dull first half, the game ended with a rousing final ten minutes.
The film received a rousing ten-minute standing ovation at its premiere.
Let's give our guest of honor a rousing welcome!
His debut novel was a rousing adventure story that captivated readers.
The CEO's rousing call to action motivated the sales team to exceed their quarterly goals.

🔁 Synonyms & antonyms

stirring inspiring exhilarating spirited animating electrifying lively vigorous

stirring · implies a deeper, more emotional response

inspiring · suggests it motivates someone to do or feel something positive

exhilarating · emphasizes a feeling of thrilling excitement and happiness

spirited · focuses on energy and liveliness

Opposites: dull, boring, soporific, uninspiring, tepid

🌱 Where it comes from

The word 'rouse' comes from Anglo-French and Old French, likely from a Germanic source related to hunting terms. It originally meant to make a hawk shake its feathers, a sign it was ready for the hunt. This sense of shaking something into action or wakefulness expanded to its modern meaning of stirring up excitement or waking someone from sleep.

🧩 How it's used

Common patterns:

a rousing speecha rousing welcomea rousing chorusa rousing receptiona rousing successa rousing rendition

'Rousing' is a strong, positive adjective used to describe things that stir up enthusiasm, like speeches, performances, or welcomes. While generally neutral in formality, it carries a slightly dramatic or heightened tone. It is almost always used to describe an event, action, or communication, not a person's permanent character.

Word family: rouse, arouse

💬 Quick answers

What does 'rousing' mean?

'Rousing' means exciting, stirring, and capable of making people feel very enthusiastic. It's often used to describe things like speeches, music, or welcomes that get a crowd energized.

What's the difference between 'rousing' and 'stirring'?

Both words mean exciting, but 'rousing' emphasizes energy and enthusiasm, often in a loud or vigorous way. 'Stirring' tends to imply a deeper, more emotional or poignant reaction.

Can you use 'rousing' to describe a person?

It's uncommon to describe a person as 'rousing.' You would typically describe what the person does or creates as rousing, for example, a 'rousing speaker' or a 'rousing performance'.

Is 'rousing' a formal word?

'Rousing' is a neutral word that can fit in both formal and informal contexts. It's appropriate for a news report about a political rally as well as a casual conversation about a great concert.

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