exaltation

noun

ex·​al·​ta·​tion ˌeg-ˌzȯl-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce exaltation (audio)
ˌek-ˌsȯl-
1
: an act of exalting : the state of being exalted
2
: an excessively intensified sense of well-being, power, or importance
3
: an increase in degree or intensity
exaltation of virulence of a virus

Examples of exaltation in a Sentence

feelings of joy and exaltation
Recent Examples on the Web James insisted that the gas, for decades a carnival attraction prior to its use as an anesthetic in oral surgery, granted him access to a sublime realm of existence akin to religious exaltation. Federico Perelmuter, Washington Post, 10 Aug. 2023 Physiological birth becomes not about nature, selfhood, or exaltation but about survival. Allison Yarrow, ELLE, 24 July 2023 The film also features plenty of dance itself—centered on the discipline and exaltation of ballet and the ennobling delights of inspired choreography—which Arzner films, lovingly and probingly, with a connoisseur’s eye. Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2021 The Founding consequently points to an ideal of ordered liberty of the type to which Edmund Burke referred: one that rejects liberty’s separation from natural reason, truth and virtue, while simultaneously disassociating order from a Schmittian exaltation of state authority. Samuel Gregg, National Review, 6 Feb. 2022 Sam Smith fans, lift your hands in exaltation. Stephen Daw, Billboard, 27 Jan. 2023 Petersen’s camera races through the sub’s corridors, simultaneously evoking fear, claustrophobia … and exaltation. Vulture, 19 Aug. 2022 An exaltation of paint. Chadd Scott, Forbes, 8 June 2021 Francis, by contrast, saw its origins in the exaltation of authority and abuse of power in the church hierarchy. Rachel Donadio, New York Times, 31 Dec. 2022 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'exaltation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of exaltation was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near exaltation

Cite this Entry

“Exaltation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exaltation. Accessed 22 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

exaltation

noun
ex·​al·​ta·​tion ˌeg-ˌzȯl-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce exaltation (audio)
1
: the act of exalting : the state of being exalted
2
: a greatly heightened sense of personal well-being, power, or importance

Medical Definition

exaltation

noun
ex·​al·​ta·​tion ˌeg-ˌzȯl-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce exaltation (audio) ˌek-ˌsȯl- How to pronounce exaltation (audio)
1
a
: marked or excessive intensification of a mental state or of the activity of a bodily part or function
b
: an abnormal sense of personal well-being, power, or importance : a delusional euphoria
2
: an increase in degree or intensity
exaltation of virulence of a virus
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