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

• 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

There was no minimizing the exhilaration and celebration and pride of experiencing a childhood dream achieved. —Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 29 July 2025

Markus, like Hagerty, agreed that drivers are searching for sports cars that provide exhilaration and visceral feedback without the assistance of electrification. —Morgan Korn, ABC News, 27 July 2025

The contrast between genres — yet seamless flow — created a sense of sonic exhilaration that rippled through the crowd. —Billboard Korea, Billboard, 4 Aug. 2025

Nonbelievers might share this occasional sense of numinous exhilaration, even if their interpretations of the data diverge, Consolmagno acknowledged. —Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 28 July 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