Rousing
adj.energetic, hopefulregister not recorded
Meaning 1
Strongly stirring enthusiasm, courage, or shared feeling.
Reach for it when praising speech, music, or action that moves people into energetic engagement
The choir ended with a rousing song of welcome.
Choose between these
5- warm
when the effect is renewed hope or purpose
not when Inspiring need not produce immediate excitement.
- warm
when deep emotion and inspiration are central
not when Stirring can be solemn rather than energetic.
- warm
when improved mood matters more than action
not when Uplifting is gentler and less forceful.
- professional
when emotion prompts coordinated action
not when Galvanizing is stronger and can pressure reluctant people.
- register not recorded
when intense excitement and uplift are felt
not when Exhilarating is more sensory and may be exhausting.
Meaning 2
Exceptionally good, lively, or forceful.
Reach for it when offering enthusiastic informal praise for a performance or occasion
The village staged a rousing final match in the rain.
Choose between these
4- everyday
when high quality is the plain claim
not when Excellent lacks rousing's lively energy.
- warm
when generous admiration suits the tone
not when Splendid is broader and slightly formal.
- professional
when strong active effort deserves emphasis
not when Vigorous can be forceful without being enjoyable.
- register not recorded
when lively courage or performance is central
not when Spirited can be contentious and does not guarantee quality.
Said against
4- dampening
- discouraging
- poor
- listless
It naturally appears in
4- rousing speech
Her rousing speech turned sympathy into volunteers.
- rousing welcome
The returning team received a rousing welcome at the station.
- rousing performance
A rousing performance closed the festival.
- rousing success
The repair fair became a rousing success despite the rain.
Where this comes from
- wiktionary, English adjective sense 1: exciting, stirring, or inspiring opens in a new tab for meaning 1 · retrieved 2026-07-26
- wiktionary, English adjective sense 2: excellent or vigorous opens in a new tab for meaning 2 · retrieved 2026-07-26
The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.