Roust/raʊst/ Definition 1 of 3Pro Tip 1/3Morning Alarm Roust is often used to describe being suddenly awoken, like by an alarm. His phone's ringtone would roust him every day at 6 a.m. Pro Tip 2/3Initiate Action 'Roust' suggests starting action, usually from a state of rest or inactivity. I had to roust myself from the couch to start cleaning. Pro Tip 3/3Slightly Aggressive Using 'roust' can imply a more forceful or abrupt awakening than 'wake'. The drill sergeant would roust the soldiers early morning.