exhilaration

noun

ex·​hil·​a·​ra·​tion ig-ˌzi-lə-ˈrā-shən 

1

: the action of exhilarating

2

: the feeling or the state of being exhilarated

Synonyms of exhilaration

• thrill
• kick

Examples of exhilaration in a Sentence

I felt a kind of exhilaration when I reached the top of the mountain.

the lavish spectacle results in one exhilaration after another

Recent Examples on the Web

An undated beach photograph of hers shows three women perched along the edge of the waves, exhilaration visible in their posture even as their faces are turned from the camera. —Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 22 Nov. 2025

There’s no distance between the audience and the terror, humor, exhilaration, and poignancy that alternate throughout Coogler‘s audacious horror movie. —Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 13 Nov. 2025

With arrangements that strategically pull instruments in and out to evoke vivid imagery, the song unfolds with dramatic twists while maintaining a sense of musical exhilaration. —Billboard Japan, Billboard, 17 Oct. 2025

Bailey fed off the exhilaration and nervous anticipation swirling around the darkened theater. —Olivia-Anne Cleary, Time, 30 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1622, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for exhilaration

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

Kids Definition

exhilaration

noun

ex·​hil·​a·​ra·​tion ig-ˌzil-ə-ˈrā-shən 

1

: the action of exhilarating

2

: the state or the feeling of being exhilarated : high spirits