ecstasy

noun

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ec·sta·sy | \ ˈek-stə-sē

plural ecstasies

Definition of ecstasy

1a : 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

Other Words from ecstasy Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More about ecstasy

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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 This is how a philosophy professor in search of ecstasy becomes a movie star. — Yasmina Price, The New York Review of Books, "Kathleen Collins’s Ecstatic Self-Discovery," 29 Feb. 2020 In Sterling Heights, Michigan, a 55-year-old citizen of Iraq, who has convictions for larceny, and various drug crimes related to cocaine, ecstasy, and marijuana. — Niraj Warikoo, Detroit Free Press, "ICE arrests 75 people in Michigan and Ohio in 1 week," 12 Feb. 2020 The court found Ghafoor, 27, knowingly imported around 50 kilograms of ecstasy and two kilograms of methamphetamine into Germany in June. — BostonGlobe.com, "Roger Penske was a car-loving, 14-year-old who regularly listened to the Indianapolis 500 on the radio when his father landed tickets to the 1951 race. They made the trek from Cleveland, and when Penske saw the cars zipping around Indianapolis Motor Speedway at 200 mph he fell instantly in love.," 5 Nov. 2019 Falcon coach McDermand couldn't contain his ecstasy. — David Taylor, Houston Chronicle, "Panthers lose district title match on fluke play, 1-0," 26 Mar. 2018 After a brief, shambling start before the band hits its stride, we’re flooded with the ecstasy of how as well as what Conor hears. — Ben Brantley, New York Times, "‘Sing Street’ Review: New Wave Music as Sweet Deliverance," 16 Dec. 2019 The desperation, the madness, the urgency, the passion, the ecstasy? — Benjamin Vanhoose, PEOPLE.com, "Camila Cabello Drops New Romance Album — and She's 'Dying to Know' What Fans Think," 6 Dec. 2019 Wounds of a different sort, the ecstasy of having once felt known. — Hua Hsu, The New Yorker, "What Jacques Derrida Understood About Friendship," 3 Dec. 2019 Prescription drug abuse, as well as use of harder drugs such as cocaine and ecstasy, remains infrequent, according to the survey. — Jamie Ducharme, Time, "U.S. Teens Aren't Just Vaping Nicotine. Marijuana Use Is Also on the Rise," 18 Dec. 2019

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