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Exult leaped into English in the 16th century as a verb meaning "to leap for joy." George Chapman used it that way in a translation of Homer's Iliad: "To drive his chariot through the waves. From whirl pits every way the whales exulted under him," he interprets. This use of the verb skipped around in English until the 18th century, when it gracefully exited the everyday lexicon, leaving the verb's other meaning—"to be extremely joyful; to rejoice"—to stay the course. Exult springs from Latin saltare ("to leap"), also the source of saltation, a word for leaping as well as dancing. Another etymological cousin of exult is sally, meaning "to leap out" or "to set out," as in "After the storm passed, the hikers sallied forth."
Examples of exult in a Sentence
Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 2 Nov. 2025
The duo exulted in success and strove to support a young family in a fickle industry.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 5 Oct. 2025
Where Godard and his collaborators exulted in their freedom, Linklater was intent on painstaking accuracy.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 27 Sep. 2025
Wooldridge’s message mentioned Paul the Apostle’s exulting in the principles of faith, hope and love.
—Jose R. Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 14 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for exult
Cite this Entry
“Exult.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exult. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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