as in ecstatic
experiencing or marked by overwhelming usually pleasurable emotion
the winner's exhilarated glow was seen in newspaper photographs around the globe
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in thrilled
to cause a pleasurable stimulation of the feelings
the exhilarating feeling of flying that hang gliding offers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in excited
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
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Recent Examples of exhilarated
Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
To some extent, that’s what accounts for so much of the exhilarated anticipation around his return.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 13 Jan. 2026
The set dressing is messy and shadowy, and yet, performance-wise, Gaga has never seemed more exhilarated.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 22 Dec. 2025
Since signing to Matador, the band has sharpened its sound into a quirky, exhilarated alt-pop, too uncanny to be dance-punk and too lively to be slacker rock.
—Vince Aletti, New Yorker, 3 Oct. 2025
That was the man who walked out smiling, a little overwhelmed but entirely calm, into the late afternoon Roman sunshine, to the roars of a stunned and exhilarated crowd.
—Anna Rowlands, Time, 12 May 2025
Walking into that pitch-black space, not seeing anything while having my eyes wide open exhilarated and frightened me.
—Jeryl Brunner, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
Unlike his exhilarated mother, Titus reacted neutrally.
—Jenna Russell, BostonGlobe.com, 16 Sep. 2023
She was surrounded by exhilarated doctors who had completed the first successful fetal brain surgery two days earlier.
—Kyle Melnick, Washington Post, 12 May 2023
Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 11 Dec. 2025
Jen is exhilarated and ready to salsa her tuchis off, postpartum logistics be damned.
—Olivia Crandall, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2025
Adjective
Dunk seems at once exhilarated and overwhelmed.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
To some extent, that’s what accounts for so much of the exhilarated anticipation around his return.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 13 Jan. 2026
The set dressing is messy and shadowy, and yet, performance-wise, Gaga has never seemed more exhilarated.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 22 Dec. 2025
Since signing to Matador, the band has sharpened its sound into a quirky, exhilarated alt-pop, too uncanny to be dance-punk and too lively to be slacker rock.
—Vince Aletti, New Yorker, 3 Oct. 2025
That was the man who walked out smiling, a little overwhelmed but entirely calm, into the late afternoon Roman sunshine, to the roars of a stunned and exhilarated crowd.
—Anna Rowlands, Time, 12 May 2025
Walking into that pitch-black space, not seeing anything while having my eyes wide open exhilarated and frightened me.
—Jeryl Brunner, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
Unlike his exhilarated mother, Titus reacted neutrally.
—Jenna Russell, BostonGlobe.com, 16 Sep. 2023
She was surrounded by exhilarated doctors who had completed the first successful fetal brain surgery two days earlier.
—Kyle Melnick, Washington Post, 12 May 2023
Verb
So in my early and mid-20s, I was still exhilarated by just being free and alone in the world, and traveling, which agreed with me.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 11 Dec. 2025
Jen is exhilarated and ready to salsa her tuchis off, postpartum logistics be damned.
—Olivia Crandall, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exhilarated
Adjective
-
The Shakers, a sect of Christianity named for their ecstatic worship dancing, were nonviolent and refused to fight in the Revolutionary War upon settling in Upstate New York.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Here, Seyfried captures the inner conflict of Ann Lee’s torment and trauma along with the ecstatic release of her religious practice.—
Mark Olsen,
Boston Herald,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Still, not everybody at the streamer was thrilled with the project, and not just because of the political optics.—
Benjamin Svetkey,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Jan. 2026
-
This petite shopper is thrilled to finally find pants that are dressy and polished — without sacrificing comfort.—
Jamie Allison Sanders,
PEOPLE,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Rinehart said she was excited by Saudi Arabia’s ambition to build a world-class mining industry a reflected in its pro-mining policies.—
Tim Treadgold,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
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Many of the theater’s patrons use hearing aids and were excited for the new technology, said Liz Lach, producing associate at the theater.—
Lisa Schencker,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
That’s why Adams wasn’t exactly giddy when the road-warrior Rams defeated the Carolina Panthers in the Wild Card round or the Chicago Bears in last weekend’s Divisional Round.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
24 Jan. 2026
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There is regret for not having spent more time in Rwanda’s beautiful capital, a mounting excitement about entering its wildscapes, and the giddy anticipation for my first sighting of a mountain gorilla in its natural habitat.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Schneider Electric’s future North American headquarters at Winthrop Center uses digital controls to consume 60% less electricity than a typical Boston office building, easing strain on a grid already buckling under the weight of data centers, electric vehicles, and electrified heating.—
Alan Ohnsman,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
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For more than three decades, Eliminator, a tribute band from Chicago, has electrified audiences with a coast-to-coast celebration of ZZ Top’s iconic sound and style.—
Philip Potempa,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The debate within the Democratic coalition is already bigger and louder, dividing moderates in swing states from progressives elated by Mamdani's rocket to victory in the nation's largest city.—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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However, epicureans will be delighted with the resort hotel's culinary options, including a restaurant helmed by superstar chef Eric Ripert.—
Allison Tibaldi,
USA Today,
24 Jan. 2026
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Meanwhile, some 1,600 miles away in Abilene, the owner of Seven and One Books, Arlene Kasselman, also has been delighted with the response to the phone outside her store.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Kennedy’s concern with productivity would have pleased Charles Davenport, a powerful leader of 20th-century American eugenics.—
Sarah DiGregorio,
Vanity Fair,
16 Jan. 2026
-
The Monarchs gave JSerra little opportunity to make an offensive threat, and that pleased Mater Dei coach Sean Ganey.—
Steve Fryer,
Oc Register,
15 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Exhilarated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exhilarated. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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