exhilarate

verb

ex·​hil·​a·​rate ig-ˈzi-lə-ˌrāt How to pronounce exhilarate (audio)
exhilarated; exhilarating

transitive verb

: to make (someone) very happy and excited or elated
was exhilarated by her success
It's a demanding dining experience that may exhaust and exasperate some customers, but exhilarate those who desire a challenge more than comfort.Thomas Matthews
Uncle George tells stories … and exhilarates everybody with his good humour and hospitality.Charles Dickens
When antislavery senator Charles Sumner was honored in a demonstration that exhilarated antebellum Boston, Louisa was there …Madeleine B. Stern
exhilarative adjective

Did you know?

Many people find exhilarate a difficult word to spell. It's easy to forget that silent "h" in there, and is it an "er" or "ar" after the "l"? It may be easier to remember the spelling if you know that exhilarate ultimately derives from the Latin adjective hilarus, meaning "cheerful." (This also explains why the earliest meaning of exhilarate is "to make cheerful.") Exhilarate comes from exhilaratus, the past participle of exhilarare, which is formed by combining ex- and hilarare, a verb that derives from hilarus and means "to cheer or gladden." If hilarus looks familiar, that may be because it's also the source of hilarious and hilarity (as well as hilariously and hilariousness, of course).

Examples of exhilarate in a Sentence

the exhilarating feeling of flying that hang gliding offers the climactic moment of commencement ceremonies usually exhilarates graduates and proud parents alike
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The midseason series only had 10 episodes in Season 1, but it was renewed for a 22-episode sophomore run — something Kligman admits is daunting but exhilarating. Hunter Ingram, Variety, 21 May 2025 Meanwhile, the dragon levels are less successful but still exhilarating. Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 21 May 2025 Jollof rice with chicken is a must: an exhilarating take on a simple chicken-rice staple shared by cultures all around the world. Timothy Depeugh, Charlotte Observer, 1 May 2025 Eclipse season may be over, but the planets are stirring up intense energies, and exhilarating moments are almost inevitable. Valerie Mesa, People.com, 5 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for exhilarate

Word History

Etymology

Latin exhilaratus, past participle of exhilarare, from ex- + hilarare to gladden, from hilarus cheerful — more at hilarious

First Known Use

1540, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of exhilarate was in 1540

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Cite this Entry

“Exhilarate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exhilarate. Accessed 28 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

exhilarate

verb
ex·​hil·​a·​rate ig-ˈzil-ə-ˌrāt How to pronounce exhilarate (audio)
exhilarated; exhilarating
: to cause to feel cheerful or lively : put into high spirits
the fresh air exhilarated us
exhilarative adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on exhilarate

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