excite

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb excite contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of excite are pique, provoke, quicken, and stimulate. While all these words mean "to arouse as if by pricking," excite implies a stirring up or moving profoundly.

news that excited anger and frustration

When might pique be a better fit than excite?

Although the words pique and excite have much in common, pique suggests stimulating by mild irritation or challenge.

that remark piqued my interest

Where would provoke be a reasonable alternative to excite?

The meanings of provoke and excite largely overlap; however, provoke directs attention to the response called forth.

my stories usually provoke laughter

In what contexts can quicken take the place of excite?

The synonyms quicken and excite are sometimes interchangeable, but quicken implies beneficially stimulating and making active or lively.

the high salary quickened her desire to have the job

When is stimulate a more appropriate choice than excite?

The words stimulate and excite are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, stimulate suggests a rousing out of lethargy, quiescence, or indifference.

stimulating conversation

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 excite Looking at your second year leading Suja Life, what’s next for the business, and what excites you most about the future? Dave Knox, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025 What scares and excites you about where AI is headed for the next generation of artists? Lily Marks, Time, 5 May 2025 What excites you about potentially getting to play that storyline in season two? Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 1 May 2025 While some residents were excited by the prospect of more surveillance in their neighborhoods, others were less optimistic about how effective the cameras will be at reducing crime. Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for excite
Recent Examples of Synonyms for excite
Verb
  • And that authenticity shows on screen, with a bounty of classic cars and thrilling racing sequences.
    James Mercadante, EW.com, 20 May 2025
  • Ward, incidentally, was thrilled that the Titans signed his former UM teammate, receiver Xavier Restrepo, as an undrafted free agent.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 19 May 2025
Verb
  • Doctors gave her Pitocin, a medication used to provoke contractions, and a Foley balloon, which is a catheter-​like device that gets the cervix to dilate.
    Kayla Grant, People.com, 20 May 2025
  • But if Washington follows a few principles, such improvements will not necessarily provoke Chinese aggression.
    Oriana Skylar Mastro, Foreign Affairs, 20 May 2025
Verb
  • The event was electrified with pomp and fraternal celebration rarely seen in the modern world.
    Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 11 May 2025
  • For those in Chicagoland, the news is particularly electrifying, said the leader of the Gary Diocese.
    Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2025
Verb
  • There is no fee to nominate and self-nominations are encouraged.
    Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 26 May 2025
  • Inner reflection is encouraged with Mercury in Gemini.
    USA TODAY, USA Today, 25 May 2025
Verb
  • This has delighted Cruise's fans online, who can't stop posting about Cruise's love for a buttery tub.
    Randall Colburn, EW.com, 22 May 2025
  • With more than 155,000 upvotes on TikTok, Milo's inclusion in his owner's daily prayers delighted internet users.
    Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 May 2025
Verb
  • These wildfires, while destructive, have also provided researchers with insights into giant sequoia ecology, revealing that moderate-severity burns can stimulate seed release and create favorable germination conditions.
    Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025
  • Muscles, heart rate, strength, motor control — and the brain — all are stimulated by exercise.
    Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 23 May 2025
Verb
  • The primary bedroom has upholstered moss-green suede walls and, a tribute to Mies van der Rohe, the iconic Chicago architect who inspired the design, a leathered stone accent wall behind the bed.
    Tori Latham, Robb Report, 15 May 2025
  • The ocean-facing 156-seat restaurant, which includes an eight-seat sushi bar and 12-seat pagoda bar, serves signature dishes such as black cod with iso squid pasta and A5 Wagyu steak, as well as locally inspired dishes including lobster truffle tempura and beef kushiyaki skewers.
    Pamela Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 May 2025
Verb
  • Sidelining people who voiced those views aroused righteous wrath.
    Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 19 May 2025
  • The decision to involve the United States in espionage aroused little public opposition, both in Washington’s day and for decades to come.
    James Santel, The Atlantic, 8 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Excite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/excite. Accessed 28 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on excite

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!