exciting 1 of 2

adjective

ik-ˈsī-tiŋ How to pronounce exciting (audio)
Definition of excitingnext
1
as in thrilling
causing great emotional or mental stimulation an exciting, come-from-behind victory for the underdogs in the last game of the World Series

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in provocative
serving or likely to arouse a strong reaction and what exciting news have you for us today?

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

exciting

2 of 2

verb

present participle of excite
1
as in electrifying
to cause a pleasurable stimulation of the feelings for some reason the first snowfall of the season never fails to excite us

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in encouraging
to rouse to strong feeling or action televised pictures of the victims of the famine that would excite any viewer to pity

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 exciting
Adjective
One of my favorite features looked at the Asian and Asian American chefs who were leading the way in bringing Boston some of the most exciting restaurants to date. — Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 9 Oct. 2026 Wolf may be less playful on this album, but her songs aren’t any less exciting. — Enzo Escober, Pitchfork, 9 Oct. 2026
Verb
Major Wilson, 17, has been around horses most of his life and now spends much of his time helping younger riders get ready, showing them how to saddle their horses without exciting them. — Jhair Romero, Houston Chronicle, 26 Feb. 2026 For Harrington and her husband Dante, the thought of triplets was shocking but exciting all the same. — Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for exciting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exciting
  1. breathtaking
  2. provocative
  3. thrilling
  4. encouraging
  5. interesting
  6. electrifying
  7. provoking
  8. intriguing
Adjective
  • Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu is one of Southern California’s most breathtaking drives — but also one of its deadliest.
    — Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Sonos Era 500 Immerse yourself in breathtaking sound from every direction with the Sonos Era 300 Smart Speaker.
    — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of breathtaking
Adjective
  • The sports media rarely treats athletes who espouse liberal or progressive political views as problematic, even when those views are provocative, divisive, or factually incorrect.
    — Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Others do not, such as the TV show conceit, which, though provocative in theory, will come across to many readers as functionally cosmetic.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of provocative
Verb
  • Halloween on the Hill Des Moines The historic homes in Des Moines’ Sherman Hill neighborhood become a spectacle of haunting decorations and thrilling sights during the annual Halloween on the Hill event.
    — Michelle Mastro, Midwest Living, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The last time the Indians started a season 6-0 was in 1967, but Keller equaled that by virtue of a thrilling 49-42 win over Trophy Club Byron Nelson in key District 4-6A game on Thursday night at Keller ISD Stadium.
    — Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of thrilling
Verb
  • Bealls is launching its first national ad campaign, encouraging shoppers to rediscover the idea of a treasure hunt for the holiday season.
    — Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
  • While Antetokounmpo is still trying to get used to the Heat’s up-tempo style, the offensive results have already been encouraging this preseason.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of encouraging
Adjective
  • Disappointingly, her screenplay proceeds to unfold in a procession of frustrating get-outs and compromises, repeatedly choosing the least interesting or challenging direction to take this would-be throuple.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
  • This would provide some interesting tactical options for the Navy, especially for conflicts with rivals, like China.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of interesting
Verb
  • After its electrifying premiere, there were quickly reports that A24 is focused on a Best Picture campaign for the film in large part because the Academy’s fusty Documentary Branch may opt not to nominate it for Best Documentary Feature.
    — Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The Minnesota Lynx's electrifying guard, Olivia Miles, has been named the Kia WNBA Rookie of the Year.
    — Cole Premo, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of electrifying
Verb
  • From this format emerges the tacit thesis that the Bicentennial cultural activities excelled at provoking critical, imaginative reflections on America’s past and future from artmakers and from ordinary citizens alike.
    — Anna Kornbluh, ARTnews.com, 7 Oct. 2026
  • This year, the event will once again feature panels, thought-provoking conversations, roundtables, networking opportunities and activations, along with the celebrated Billboard En Vivo performances.
    — Sigal Ratner-Arias, Billboard, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of provoking
Adjective
  • By 2036, the spacecraft is scheduled to rendezvous with its final and most intriguing target, 269 Justitia.
    — Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Jeremy Strong making no facial expression as Mark Zuckerberg, on the other hand, was not intriguing enough to tempt theatergoers.
    — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of intriguing

Browse Nearby Words

excites
exciting
exclaim
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Exciting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exciting. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All