exhilarate

verb

ig-ˈzi-lə-ˌrāt How to pronounce exhilarate (audio)
Definition of exhilaratenext
1
as in to thrill
to cause a pleasurable stimulation of the feelings the exhilarating feeling of flying that hang gliding offers

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to excite
to fill with great joy the climactic moment of commencement ceremonies usually exhilarates graduates and proud parents alike

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 exhilarate Set at a castle deep in the Scottish Highlands, this nail-biting psychological adventure sees contestants work together on a series of exhilarating missions to build a prize fund worth up to $250,000. — Katie Campione, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026 Would the audience member’s sexuality affect the experience, turning it from something exhilarating into something threatening? — Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026 So we were headed for a weird, wild, exhilarating finish, all right. — Jayson Stark, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026 Some analysts are exhilarated at the prospect of a world-changing paradigm shift. — Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 24 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for exhilarate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exhilarate
  1. thrill
  2. excite
  3. electrify
  4. delight
  5. elate
  6. intoxicate
Verb
  • The thrilling finish followed a largely ugly first 54 minutes during which neither team scored a touchdown.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Carmody was thrilled to acquire the eye-catching antique cart.
    — Susan DeGrane, Chicago Tribune, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of thrill
Verb
  • Though some people were taken aback by her eagerness to be in the sky, Filgueiras was excited by it.
    — Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2026
  • The products’ custom orange-floral scent complete the entire at-home experience, which means you’ll actually be excited come hair-wash day.
    — Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of excite
Verb
  • This was him—sans manager and inching toward divorce with Sara Lownds, the mother of his first five children—acting on his own advice, gathering his friends and just getting onstage, high and electrified and focused and free.
    — Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 7 Nov. 2026
  • The hope is that by electrifying more industries and communities, clean renewable power can replace fossil fuel generation and reduce those greenhouse gas emissions.
    — Dan Peck, ABC News, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of electrify
Verb
  • Trains run throughout and between each display, delighting the smallest New Yorkers especially.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 11 Nov. 2026
  • The cynic in me delights at how Elon Musk piddled away more than $450 million of his billions on all those losing Republican candidates.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of delight
Verb
  • There were decisions that would elate or devastate players.
    — Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 24 May 2026
  • This helped convince the administration to shift to their side, elating students, especially Simpson.
    — Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026
Definition of elate
Verb
  • Melissa Rycroft has been arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated, again.
    — Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Indiana State Police said a Chicago woman called 911 on herself over the weekend while driving dangerously and while intoxicated on I-65 in Jasper County.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of intoxicate

Browse Nearby Words

exhibits
exhilarate
exhilarated
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Cite this Entry

“Exhilarate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exhilarate. Accessed 12 Nov. 2026.

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