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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 That meant her action sequences, while exhilarating for the actress, were quite minimal. — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 3 Aug. 2026 The ease of Letty’s romance with Montgomery’s character is positively exhilarating by comparison, and Brown makes the most of the contrast. — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 28 July 2026 Ozzy, who commanded audiences with his unpredictable, exhilarating live performances, was also known for his sharp sense of humor. — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 23 July 2026 For nearly two decades, Justin Bieber has cut a tumultuous, highly scrutinized, and often exhilarating path through pop music and global celebrity. — Dan Adler, Vanity Fair, 19 July 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
  • They’re thrilled to be owning a team and to be in Pittsburgh, to be a part of everything here.
    — Josh Yohe, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Winkler added that Ritter had been thrilled to have another hit show on the airwaves.
    — Rance Collins, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of thrill
Verb
  • Quinn has been coaching for 33 years — this is his ninth as an NFL head coach — and he’s always been excited by the weight of expectation.
    — Tashan Reed, Washington Post, 11 Sep. 2026
  • But with all due respect to the statisticians among us, most people can’t get all that excited about facts and figures.
    — Bernard May, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of excite
Verb
  • Meta worked extensively with Idaho Power to electrify the site, Davis said.
    — Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The Lady Mayor, the third woman to hold the office, enlisted the team at Electrogenic to electrify the 1973 Rolls-Royce Phantom VI.
    — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of electrify
Verb
  • Joy has done nothing but delight us, so a villain Gen shall become.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Here, misfits are welcome, and bric-a-brac is part of the appeal; the wonderfully bizarre name and devil-may-care attitude have been confusing (and delighting) first-timers for more than 70 years.
    — Skye Sherman, Southern Living, 13 Sep. 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
  • But for those like Sybylla, who have trouble living within today’s constraints, tomorrow’s unknown possibilities are intoxicating.
    — Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Prosecutors said boater Richard Stevenson, of Lisle, was intoxicated and traveling at about 80 mph in July on the river when his pontoon hit a boat carrying Magdalena Jablonska of Des Plaines, decapitating her, authorities said.
    — Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 7 Sep. 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 17 Sep. 2026.

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