thrill

thrill

verb \ˈthril\

Definition of THRILL

transitive verb

1

a : to cause to experience a sudden sharp feeling of excitement <the news thrilled him> b : to cause to have a shivering or tingling sensation

2

: to cause to vibrate or tremble perceptibly

intransitive verb

1

: to move or pass so as to cause a sudden wave of emotion

2

: to become thrilled: a : to experience a sudden sharp excitement b : tingle, throb

3

: tremble, vibrate

— thrill noun

— thrill·ing·ly \ˈthri-liŋ-lē\ adverb

Examples of THRILL

1. Circus performers still thrill audiences today.
2. I was thrilled by their decision.

Origin of THRILL

Middle English thirlen, thrillen to pierce, from Old English thyrlian, from thyrel hole, from thurh through — more at through

First Known Use: 1592

Related to THRILL

Synonyms: charge, electrify, excite, exhilarate, galvanize, intoxicate, pump up, titillate, turn on

Related Words: arouse, incite, inspire, provoke, stimulate; bewitch, captivate, charm, delight, enchant, enthrall (or enthral), hypnotize, mesmerize, rivet, spellbind; interest, intrigue, tantalize

Near Antonyms: bore, jade, pall, tire, weary; deject, demoralize, discourage, dishearten, dispirit

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Rhymes with THRILL

bill, brill, chill, dill, drill, fill, frill, gill, grill, grille, hill, ill, kill, krill, mil, mill, mille, nil, nill, Phil, pill, prill, quill, rill, shill, shrill, sill, skill, spill, squill, still, swill, thill, til, till, trill, twill, vill, will