ecstasy

noun

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ec·sta·sy | \ ˈek-stə-sē

plural ecstasies

Definition of ecstasy

1 : a state of overwhelming emotion especially : rapturous delight

2 often capitalized : a synthetic amphetamine analog C₁₁H₁₅NO₂ used illicitly for its mood-enhancing and hallucinogenic properties

— called also MDMA

3 : trance especially : a mystic or prophetic trance

4a : a state of being beyond reason and self-control

b archaic : swoon

Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More About ecstasy

Choose the Right Synonym for ecstasy

ecstasy, rapture, transport mean intense exaltation of mind and feelings. ecstasy and rapture both suggest a state of trance or near immobility produced by an overpowering emotion. ecstasy may apply to any strong emotion (such as joy, fear, rage, adoration). religious ecstasy rapture usually implies intense bliss or beatitude. in speechless rapture transport applies to any powerful emotion that lifts one out of oneself and usually provokes vehement expression or frenzied action. in a transport of rage

Examples of ecstasy in a Sentence

His performance sent the audience into ecstasies. actors are typically in ecstasy upon winning an Oscar

Recent Examples on the Web Sangok’s quest is found, above all, not in her dream of recording another performance for posterity but in the ecstasy of vision itself. — Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 5 May 2022 The tests showed that, aside from minimal amounts of ecstasy, there were no other drugs in his system. — Greg Moran, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Apr. 2022 But to me, being a designer means being a servant — a servant to your own vision, to the client, to the atelier, to the process, to the expectations, to the pressure and to the ecstasy. — New York Times, 21 Apr. 2022 But the visual of this assembly had additional value in driving home the colossal emotional scale of this piece, which combines the intimacy of a church service with the ecstasy of a revelation. — Washington Post, 3 Mar. 2022 These two sequences are the ecstasy and the agony of Batfleck. — Darren Franich, EW.com, 4 Mar. 2022 Officers ordered the man, later identified as Rodthong, to the ground at gunpoint and found two ecstasy pills on him during the arrest, the complaint says. — Ashley Luthern, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 29 Jan. 2022 Australians also showed increasing support for legalizing ecstasy and cocaine, although not as high as the proportion in favor of cannabis legalization. — A.j. Herrington, Forbes, 29 Dec. 2021 Redemption is a universal theme that pushes us to the extremes of ecstasy and disillusionment. — Liza Foreman, Variety, 2 Dec. 2021 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ecstasy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for ecstasy

Middle English exstasie, extasy "elation," borrowed from Middle French extasie, "stupor, transported state," borrowed from Late Latin ecstasis, extasis "trance, swoon, profound sleep," borrowed from Greek ékstasis "displacement, mental distraction, astonishment, trance," from eksta-, stem of existánai "to displace, drive out of one's senses, confound," exístasthai "to be astonished, lose consciousness" (from ex- ex- entry 3 + histánai "to cause to stand, place," hístasthai "to be standing") + -sis -sis — more at stand entry 1