ecstatic

adjective

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ec·stat·ic | \ ek-ˈsta-tik

, ik-ˈsta- \

Definition of ecstatic

(Entry 1 of 2)

: of, relating to, or marked by ecstasy

ecstatic

noun

ec·stat·ic | \ ek-ˈsta-tik

, ik-ˈsta- \

Definition of ecstatic (Entry 2 of 2)

: one that is subject to ecstasies

Other Words from ecstatic Synonyms & Antonyms Did you know? Example Sentences Learn More About ecstatic

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Synonyms & Antonyms for ecstatic

Synonyms: Adjective

Antonyms: Adjective

depressed

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Adjective

Ecstatic has been used in our language since at least 1590, and the noun "ecstasy" is even older, dating from the 1300s. Both derive from the Greek verb existanai ("to put out of place"), which was used in a Greek phrase meaning "to drive someone out of his or her mind." That seems an appropriate history for words that can describe someone who is nearly out of his or her mind with intense emotion. In early use, "ecstatic" was sometimes linked to mystic trances, out-of-body experiences, and temporary madness. Today, however, it most typically implies a state of enthusiastic excitement or intense happiness.

Examples of ecstatic in a Sentence

Adjective A few religious denominations—Pentecostalism, for example—still offer a collective ecstatic experience, as did rock culture at its height. But the ecstatic religions tend to be marginal, and rock has been tamed for commercial consumption … — Barbara Ehrenreich, Civilization, June/July 2000 … in dietary terms we are veritable troglodytes (which, speaking personally, is all right by me). I think this explains a lot, not least my expanding sense of dismay as the waiter bombarded us with ecstatic descriptions of roulades, ratatouilles, empanadas, langostinos … and goodness knows what else. — Bill Bryson, I'm a Stranger Here Myself, 1999 He was ecstatic when he heard that he was going to be a father. a football player who was ecstatic upon receiving a full athletic scholarship to the college of his choice

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective Campbell's friends and fashion peers were ecstatic at the announcement, flocking to her comments section to share their well wishes and congratulations. — Ineye Komonibo, refinery29.com, 18 May 2021 Shining light on the perspective of life through football, ecstatic to be able to share my talents elsewhere for my final grad year. — Hannah Underwood, Dallas News, 4 May 2021 Prusia said his dad was a mixture of ecstatic and emotional, a reaction benefitting a family that has been all-in on their son’s dream for years. — oregonlive, 6 Apr. 2021 O’Rourke grins when posing that question, ecstatic at the thought that, for much of its lifetime, Venus, too was another pale blue dot orbiting the sun—an eventual paradise lost to Earth’s persistent one. — Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 2 June 2021 The Weeknd looks genuinely ecstatic to hear the crowd belt out the chorus — and that’s to say nothing of their reaction to Grande, who slinks onstage wearing what appears to be a more colorful version of her wedding dress. — Charu Sinha, Vulture, 28 May 2021 This spring, Seven Hills Fire Chief Jamie Meklemburg was ecstatic to learn that his department’s ISO rating has been upgraded from 4 to 3. — John Benson, cleveland, 27 May 2021 Through ecstatic and exacting descriptions of his many swims, Deakin introduces the reader both to the pleasures of outdoor swimming and to the richness of the natural landscape. — Anelise Chen, The Atlantic, 27 May 2021 Although their recruiting efforts were to no avail (Holland went to Oregon), the Dolphins appear ecstatic about Holland and his potential to fill a major role on Miami’s defense in 2021. — Safid Deen, sun-sentinel.com, 25 May 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun When the studio finally offered her the part, Hathaway was beyond ecstatic. — Gabrielle Chung, PEOPLE.com, 14 June 2021 Count Oddo among those ecstatic that Louisville will be part of it. — Shannon Russell, The Courier-Journal, 25 May 2021 Butler couldn't get off a shot on Miami's possession, sending the Bucks fans at Fiserv Forum home ecstatic. — Ben Steele, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 22 May 2021 Butler couldn't get off a shot on Miami's possession, sending the Bucks fans at Fiserv Forum home ecstatic. — Ben Steele, USA TODAY, 22 May 2021 Almost like a bath bomb for kids, these will make your little one ecstatic to take a bath each day. — Kiana Murden, CNN Underscored, 14 Dec. 2020 If Welch’s voice delivers the good news or the hard news of the world, Rawlings’s voice comes underneath, asking how much deeper the sadness can go or what fresh heights the ecstatic can climb to. — Hanif Abdurraqib, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2020 But for the truly purple acolytes, each version offers something worth hearing, including an ecstatic, nearly seven-minute more-cowbell! — Sarah Rodman, EW.com, 25 Sep. 2020 Now, Joe Biden selected California Sen. Kamala Harris as his running mate — and McDonald, Democratic National Committee member from Utah, is over-the-moon ecstatic. — Lee Davidson, The Salt Lake Tribune, 11 Aug. 2020

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

History and Etymology for ecstatic

Adjective

borrowed from Medieval Latin ecstaticus, extaticus, borrowed from Greek ekstatikós "inclined to depart from, out of one's senses, causing mental derangement," from eksta-, stem of existánai "to displace, confound," exístasthai "to be astonished, lose consciousness" + -t-, verbal adjective suffix (after statós "standing") + -ikos -ic entry 1 — more at ecstasy