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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

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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 card also features exciting preliminary bouts, including a matchup between Marlon Vera (23-12), who has been training in Southern California for years, and Canadian Charles Jourdain (18-1-1). — Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026 There are plenty of other exciting games to choose from on today’s slate. — Outkick, FOXNews.com, 19 Sep. 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
  • This town of about 1,200 residents comes alive in autumn with quirky traditions, breathtaking foliage, and family-friendly activities that showcase the best of the season.
    — Abby Price, Travel + Leisure, 19 Sep. 2026
  • With breathtaking speed, a little over a month after the Good Earth casting rejection, Wong left Hollywood to fulfill her lifelong dream of visiting China.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of breathtaking
Adjective
  • The early episodes, with their nervousness about FCC crackdowns and government interference in the news-gathering apparatus, suggest that American Hostage is going someplace provocative, only to have the series run out of things to say.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Sydney Sweeney sparked widespread backlash following the release of her provocative campaign for a sports trading app.
    — Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of provocative
Verb
  • Act of Parliament, a 3-year-old colt ridden by jockey Axel Concepcion, delivered a thrilling come-from-behind victory at the famous racetrack.
    — Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026
  • One of the 2025-26 sports season’s most memorable moments was North Crowley boys basketball’s thrilling state semifinal victory.
    — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of thrilling
Verb
  • The Moon in your sign trines Chiron in your creative 5th house, encouraging you to show a side of yourself that isn’t polished for approval.
    — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026
  • By aligning the right people with the right roles and encouraging an environment of mutual understanding, behavioral assessments play a pivotal role in creating high-performing teams that excel in collaboration and achieve business success.
    — Karla Vallecillo, Hartford Courant, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of encouraging
Adjective
  • Venus in your career zone forms an awkward connection to Uranus in your playful 5th house, stirring tension between what looks polished and what actually feels interesting.
    — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 20 Sep. 2026
  • This year’s showcase is especially interesting as Queer Lisboa is hitting 30 at the same time BFI Flare in London turns 40 and San Francisco’s Frameline turns 50, David notes.
    — Ed Meza, Variety, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of interesting
Verb
  • At the center of it all is an electrifying performance by Robert Pattinson as Hansen, a man who aspires to powerful anchor machismo but is slowly falling apart.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Its bare bones prose and electrifying pictures preserve, honor and celebrate the people, places and ideas responsible for Rosales’ sentimental education.
    — Myriam Gurba, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of electrifying
Verb
  • Guendouzi, who played for Lyon’s rivals Marseille between 2022 and 2024, was seen provoking the Lyon fans at full time with a series of exuberant celebrations.
    — Ali Rampling, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • This year's Ig Nobel Prizes — which are awarded for humorous, yet thought-provoking research — have been announced, but not on their home turf.
    — Ari Daniel, NPR, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of provoking
Adjective
  • There’s a reason why these characters in the sky are so popular and intriguing to us on the ground.
    — Anusha Praturu, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Everything that is not in the frame but has a sound that is relevant for the story, is very intriguing to me to work with.
    — Anna Marie de la Fuente, Variety, 21 Sep. 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 22 Sep. 2026.

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