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
  • The corner lot on which Pinky had sat for the past hundred years was now some of the most desirable real estate in Los Angeles, and its new owner, who had other plans for the land, was thrilled to sell the house for a dollar.
    — Nicola Twilley, New Yorker, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Walmart has long resisted calls from shoppers to add tap to pay to its payment options – so shoppers on social media were thrilled to learn about the company's decision.
    — Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of thrill
Verb
  • The promise excited Ralph Gonzalez and Christine Munoz, who own the city's first gastropub, Newhall Refinery.
    — Nicole Comstock, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Parton was excited and taken aback by the new version of her song.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of excite
Verb
  • 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
  • Chinese advances in dam-building technology in recent years and a race to electrify with clean energy and cut off coal –– as well as a simmering, high-altitude China-India border feud –– have driven change in the region.
    — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of electrify
Verb
  • In the last two months, New York City’s Radio City Music Hall hosted two ‘80s British music triple bills that delighted fans of the golden MTV era.
    — David Chiu, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • This is a prospect that particularly delights Lady Eliza Spencer, Princess Diana’s niece and Prince Harry’s cousin.
    — Mathilde Engelmann, Vanity Fair, 29 Aug. 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
  • The Greatest Robot Anime Is Back With Something to Prove The new Mobile Suit Gundam movie is mad as hell and relishes in the franchise’s intoxicating weirdness.
    — Britina Cheng, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026
  • But a provision that delays for one month a federal ban on intoxicating hemp THC products has prompted criticism from many GOP lawmakers.
    — Kevin Freking, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 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 3 Sep. 2026.

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