ecstasy

noun ec·sta·sy \ ˈek-stə-sē \

Updated on: 13 Apr 2018

Definition of ecstasy

plural ecstasies

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

b archaic : swoon

2 : a state of overwhelming emotion; especially : rapturous delight

3 : trance; especially : a mystic or prophetic trance

4 often capitalized : a synthetic amphetamine analog C₁₁H₁₅NO₂ used illicitly for its mood-enhancing and hallucinogenic properties — called also MDMA

See ecstasy defined for English-language learners

See ecstasy defined for kids

Examples of ecstasy in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of ecstasy from the Web

There were scenes of ecstasy in the Oxenford film and television studios -- home to the table tennis at the Games -- as Nigeria earned their first medal on the Gold Coast in the men's team event.

— sandy thin, CNN, "Yohan Blake defeated as South African springs shock victory in 100m final," 9 Apr. 2018
Who needs more misery when what Seierstad has delivered is a good dose of raw, slow agony on one hand and raw, unaccounted ecstasy on the other, and, to all appearances, never these two shall meet.

— peter lewis, The Christian Science Monitor, "'Two Sisters' follows a father trying to bring his two daughters home from jihad in Syria," 4 Apr. 2018
Police also say Gonzalez possessed a misdemeanor amount of suspected heroin and ecstasy on his person at the time of arrest.

— alexandra deabler, Fox News, "Wanted man mistakes police cruiser for pizza delivery car," 2 Apr. 2018
In the space of just five minutes the Italian population went from the precipice of ecstasy, to the depths of melancholy.

— SI.com, "World Cup Countdown: 12 Weeks to Go - Italy & West Germany's 'Game of the Century'," 1 Apr. 2018
Once at the home, the found 3.3 pounds of marijuana, 4.6 grams of hydrocodone, 29 grams of ecstasy, crack cocaine, methamphetamine and two handguns.

— carol robinson, AL.com, "Pinson couple arrested after drug raid turns up ecstasy, crack, meth and weed," 26 Mar. 2018
Deputies seized heroin, hydrocodone, methamphetamine, ecstasy, cocaine, and marijuana as well as 17 seventeen firearms and cash.

— carol robinson, AL.com, "'It's a dirty, nasty business': Sheriff Mike Hale talks opioids, criminal firepower," 27 Feb. 2018
The three occupants, Austin Folse, 20, and two teens, were found to be in possession of ecstasy and marijuana, the Sheriff's Office reported.

— kim chatelain, NOLA.com, "St. Tammany teacher, 2 Mandeville teens among 7 accused in Lacombe drug case," 26 Feb. 2018
But the ecstasy of the base is the agony of the mainstream.

— alexander nazaryan, Newsweek, "Can Donald Trump, the Most Unpopular President Ever, Save Republicans From a Massive Defeat in 2018?," 21 Feb. 2018

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.

Origin and Etymology of ecstasy

Middle English extasie, from Middle French, from Late Latin ecstasis, from Greek ekstasis, from existanai to derange, from ex- out + histanai to cause to stand — more at ex-, stand

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

ecstasy Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of 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

Other Occult Terms

augury, censor, invocation, lucidity, metempsychosis, mojo, numinous, preternatural, weird, wraith

ECSTASY Defined for English Language Learners

ecstasy

noun

Definition of ecstasy for English Language Learners

: a state of very great happiness : extreme delight
: an illegal drug that is used to produce a feeling of excitement and pleasure

ECSTASY Defined for Kids

ecstasy

noun ec·sta·sy \ ˈek-stə-sē \

Definition of ecstasy for Students

plural ecstasies

: very great happiness or delight

Medical Dictionary

ecstasy

noun ec·sta·sy \ ˈek-stə-sē \

medical Definition of ecstasy

plural ecstasies

1 : a trance state in which intense absorption (as in religious ideation) is accompanied by loss of sense perception and voluntary control

2 often capitalized : a synthetic amphetamine analog C₁₁H₁₅NO₂ used illicitly for its mood-enhancing and hallucinogenic properties — called also MDMA, methylenedioxymethamphetamine, XTC

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