rapture 1 of 2

Definition of rapturenext

rapture

2 of 2

verb

as in to delight
to fill with overwhelming emotion (as wonder or delight) nature lovers will be raptured by the documentary's breathtaking cinematography

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word rapture distinct from other similar nouns?

The words ecstasy and transport are common synonyms of rapture. While all three words mean "intense exaltation of mind and feelings," rapture usually implies intense bliss or beatitude.

in speechless rapture

How do ecstasy and rapture relate to one another?

Ecstasy and rapture both suggest a state of trance or near immobility produced by an overpowering emotion; ecstasy may apply to any strong emotion (such as joy, fear, rage, adoration).

religious ecstasy

When might transport be a better fit than rapture?

In some situations, the words transport and rapture are roughly equivalent. However, transport applies to any powerful emotion that lifts one out of oneself and usually provokes vehement expression or frenzied action.

in a transport of rage

How is the word rapture distinct from other similar nouns?

The words ecstasy and transport are common synonyms of rapture. While all three words mean "intense exaltation of mind and feelings," rapture usually implies intense bliss or beatitude.

in speechless rapture

How do ecstasy and rapture relate to one another?

Ecstasy and rapture both suggest a state of trance or near immobility produced by an overpowering emotion; ecstasy may apply to any strong emotion (such as joy, fear, rage, adoration).

religious ecstasy

When might transport be a better fit than rapture?

In some situations, the words transport and rapture are roughly equivalent. However, transport applies to any powerful emotion that lifts one out of oneself and usually provokes vehement expression or frenzied action.

in a transport of rage

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of rapture
Noun
Who would be taken in the rapture? Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2025 Multiple people have thrown their support behind Mhlakela’s theory, with several of them promising to apologize to their followers on social media if the rapture failed to happen. Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
Verb
For a movie about an apocalyptic clash of vampires and gangsters, Sinners has moments of unexpected jubilance, even rapture. A.a. Dowd, Rolling Stone, 17 Apr. 2025 Dispensationalism has an offensive reputation among many Jews because the End Times prophecy outlines an event in which Jews suffer mass slaughter while Christian believers are spared because God raptured them. Liam Adams, The Tennessean, 22 Nov. 2024 See All Example Sentences for rapture
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rapture
Noun
  • The takedown resulted in 17 arrests and the seizure of 27 firearms, roughly four pounds of cocaine, more than 130 pounds of marijuana, as well as fentanyl, ecstasy and cash, according to officials.
    Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Most recently, on March 22, one of the family's dogs again became ill after eating an unknown substance in the front yard, and tested positive for both methamphetamine and MDMA, or ecstasy.
    Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The ball circled the rim twice before dropping on Friday night, delighting Duke and its fans and crushing LSU.
    Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 31 Mar. 2026
  • SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.
    Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 31 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • In an interview ahead of Palm Sunday, senior pastor Robert Jeffress reflected on specific scripture that says the whole world will burn someday, but there will be a new heaven and a new earth with Christ.
    Dallas Morning News, Dallas Morning News, 29 Mar. 2026
  • White and brown are a match made in sartorial heaven.
    Christina Perrier, InStyle, 10 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Those are the stories that entrance and often delight a nation, even as brackets are busted from coast to coast.
    Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Fellow guest mentor Brad Paisley, who worked alongside Palmer for the mentorship session, was also entranced by Richardson’s performance.
    Annie Harrigan, Billboard, 24 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • More than 200 trees are just days away from full blossoms, providing more joy for Gipson and anyone who appreciates poetry in motion.
    Noel Brennan, CBS News, 6 Apr. 2026
  • This may be the quietest song on our list, but the acoustic guitars and breathy vocal evince quiet joy and more than a bit of sexiness.
    Brett Milano, Boston Herald, 5 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Sadriu said the bystander was transported to an area hospital with injuries believed to be non-life-threatening.
    Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 2 Apr. 2026
  • He was transported to the base of the mountain to a waiting ambulance.
    Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • In San Francisco, Louise encounters an influencer who asks strangers on the street to rate their happiness on the same scale.
    Nina Mesfin, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2026
  • Conversations full of laughter and happiness.
    David McGrath, Chicago Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Bully feels custom-designed to please the diehards exhausted by his noxious antics.
    Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 1 Apr. 2026
  • This time around, under Rupert Goold’s actor-forward direction and with Guirgis’s distinctive voiciness, the story has more in common with the canine of its title — there’s a little more swagger, sweetness, and slobber, a little more desire to please.
    Sara Holdren, Vulture, 31 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Rapture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rapture. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.

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