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
The prospect is both exciting and, admittedly, a little nerve-racking. — Alicia Urrea, Billboard, 28 Aug. 2026 The agency recently selected 118 programs to use its shiny new Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, set to launch on August 30, in novel and exciting ways. — Jonathan O'Callaghan, Scientific American, 27 Aug. 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
  • Nvidia's giveback Friday was certainly not because the company didn't report an amazing, if not breathtaking, quarter.
    — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The experience goes far beyond the golf course; Palmares is known across the world for having one of the most breathtaking clubhouse environments in all of golf.
    — Jeff Goudy, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of breathtaking
Adjective
  • In the meantime, MapQuest has been active on X, posting provocative tweets to capitalize on the controversy.
    — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The film revisits one of the most provocative and scrutinized franchises in the history of TV news.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of provocative
Verb
  • Three-quarters of the way through an all-in-all pretty thrilling Reacher season, a picaresque episode introduces still another villain and concludes on a particularly dire cliffhanger.
    — Chris Klimek, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The party capped off with Sabalenka participating in a thrilling ping-pong match against five challengers.
    — Paul Chi, Vogue, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of thrilling
Verb
  • Historically, the United States has sent mixed messages to Europeans, encouraging them to step up but then scolding them for seeking autonomy.
    — JENNIFER KAVANAGH, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The scarcity itself became part of the appeal, encouraging moviegoers to attend early, return for later editions and share the collectibles online.
    — Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of encouraging
Adjective
  • Coach John Harbaugh made the interesting decision Friday night to sit Dart and a number of other starters for a second straight preseason game.
    — Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Cartoonists on Dolly Parton's life and legacy Join 350,000+ subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
    — The Week US, TheWeek, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of interesting
Verb
  • Toyota and its luxury division is electrifying its portfolio of vehicles because many drivers see the value in hybrid and electric powertrains.
    — Charles Singh, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
  • His music, a blend of charismatic and electrifying punk and post-punk, provided the hard-rocking moment of the entire three-and-a-half-hour evening.
    — David Chiu, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of electrifying
Verb
  • By the mid-nineteenth century, the it-narrative began to interest authors invested less in provoking excitement than in guiding the moral development of their readers.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Ukraine’s recent strikes into Russia also have exposed weaknesses in Russia’s air defenses, which could prompt Putin to think twice about provoking a retaliatory attack.
    — Emma Burrows, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of provoking
Adjective
  • Although not quite as polished on the racial politics front, Lanterns’s third episode is no less intriguing, as an hour of television dedicated not only to answering pressing questions but fleshing out its lead character in disturbing ways.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Belton is an intriguing player, but Cisco should also see action in certain packages.
    — Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of intriguing

Browse Nearby Words

excites
exciting
exclaim
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Cite this Entry

“Exciting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exciting. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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