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

The implausibility of it all was part of the exhilaration, to be sure. —Kansas City Star, 7 Feb. 2026

There’s a sense of exhilaration and connection. —Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 31 Jan. 2026

The exhilaration was much needed after back-to-back losses on a road trip to the state of Michigan sank their Big Ten record even lower. —Haley Sawyer, Oc Register, 31 Jan. 2026

While emerging 15 years ago, Rocky established himself as a master of forward-thinking aesthetics that could embody the brooding cool of a swaggy ninja or the turnt exhilaration of a trap star’s rave. —Peter A. Berry, Variety, 16 Jan. 2026

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