exhilarate

verb

ex·​hil·​a·​rate ig-ˈzi-lə-ˌrāt 

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

ig-ˈzi-lə-ˌrā-tiv 

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).

Synonyms

• charge
• electrify
• excite
• galvanize
• intoxicate
• pump up
• thrill
• titillate
• turn on

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

Interacting with the world through your five senses is exhilarating during Taurus season. —Usa Today, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025

Like the novel’s narrator, Nick Carraway, we’re exhilarated to be going along for the ride. —Rob Kyff, Hartford Courant, 19 Apr. 2025

The first hour unfurls like the climb of a rollercoaster, inching you towards an exhilarating descent into madness. —Kathleen Newman-Bremang, Refinery29, 18 Apr. 2025

Before embarking on an NBA career that's already filled with exhilarating highs and torturous lows, Pritchard helped lead the Oregon Ducks to their first Final Four appearance since the inaugural NCAA men's basketball tournament. —Bobby Krivitsky, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025

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

Rhymes for exhilarate

• abbreviate
• accelerate
• accommodate
• accumulate
• acuminate
• adjudicate
• adulterate
• affiliate
• agglomerate
• agglutinate
• alleviate
• amalgamate

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Kids Definition

exhilarate

verb

ex·​hil·​a·​rate ig-ˈzil-ə-ˌrāt 

exhilarated; exhilarating

: to cause to feel cheerful or lively : put into high spirits

the fresh air exhilarated us

exhilarative

-ˌrāt-iv 

adjective