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
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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
Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2026
The film disrobes Wintour’s mythos by peeling back that which surrounds Miranda, who bears the editor’s same chilly, soft-spoken tenor whether exhilarated or furious.
—Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 1 May 2026
Astronaut Nichole Ayers, who flew to space on Crew-10 in 2025, was part of the NASA broadcast team Wednesday evening and became emotional after seeing the launch surrounded by an exhilarated crowd.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2026
Dowling felt exhilarated and elated to see his pupil on top of the podium.
—Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026
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
Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 15 Apr. 2026
They are inspired by the stories of ancient cultures, captivated by the serenity of nature's wonders, and exhilarated by the excitement of encountering wildlife in their natural habitats.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Mar. 2026
Both essays make stark and rapid turns that defy traditional essay structure, moves that are destabilizing at the moment yet leave this reader exhilarated in the way Sloan circles back to her central concerns without ever settling for simple resolution.
—Literary Hub, 12 Mar. 2026
With its riveting trombone and smashing rhythms, the music exhilarated.
—Sheila Regan, Twin Cities, 27 Feb. 2026
Just take our word for it that Barbarian will leave you disturbed and exhilarated in equal measure.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Feb. 2026
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
Adjective
Andrew’s Nathan Saleh has rarely felt so exhilarated after making an out.
—Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2026
The film disrobes Wintour’s mythos by peeling back that which surrounds Miranda, who bears the editor’s same chilly, soft-spoken tenor whether exhilarated or furious.
—Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 1 May 2026
Astronaut Nichole Ayers, who flew to space on Crew-10 in 2025, was part of the NASA broadcast team Wednesday evening and became emotional after seeing the launch surrounded by an exhilarated crowd.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2026
Dowling felt exhilarated and elated to see his pupil on top of the podium.
—Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026
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
Verb
LaMelo Ball beat his chest and shouted a few choice words, exhilarated after draining the bucket that ensured the Charlotte Hornets lived to play another day.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 15 Apr. 2026
They are inspired by the stories of ancient cultures, captivated by the serenity of nature's wonders, and exhilarated by the excitement of encountering wildlife in their natural habitats.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Mar. 2026
Both essays make stark and rapid turns that defy traditional essay structure, moves that are destabilizing at the moment yet leave this reader exhilarated in the way Sloan circles back to her central concerns without ever settling for simple resolution.
—Literary Hub, 12 Mar. 2026
With its riveting trombone and smashing rhythms, the music exhilarated.
—Sheila Regan, Twin Cities, 27 Feb. 2026
Just take our word for it that Barbarian will leave you disturbed and exhilarated in equal measure.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Feb. 2026
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
-
At the beginning of his tenure as the club’s resident DJ, the crowds were sparse, but as word of his sweaty, ecstatic sets quickly spread around Chicago, admission exploded, and lines to get in snaked around the block.—
Dash Lewis,
Pitchfork,
7 June 2026
-
While being ecstatic with her achievement this week, Kostyuk also dedicated her emotional quarterfinal win to the people of Ukraine, amid the ongoing war with Russia.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
Fans of Madix will also be thrilled to know that starting Friday, May 29, Peacock subscribers will have the option to choose Madix as their Peacock avatar on the streaming service.—
Carolyn Burt,
Oc Register,
29 May 2026
-
While Off Campus only has two seasons confirmed so far, fans seem thrilled that Allie and Dean are next on the list.—
Kenneal Patterson,
Vanity Fair,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
That’s not to say New Yorkers wouldn’t be excited at the prospect of sliding on a pair of kicks bearing their beloved star’s name.—
Justin Birnbaum,
Sportico.com,
8 June 2026
-
That's the stuff that fuels me, that's what keeps me up at night and excited for the next day.—
Nathan Diller,
USA Today,
7 June 2026
Adjective
-
There was nothing giddy about Doctors of Philosophy’s reviews, though.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 June 2026
-
Tomás drinks from the pool and is struck with an anti-colonialist revelation that sends him into a giddy frenzy.—
Rachel Vorona Cote,
Vulture,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
The official start of the 2026 World Cup is six days away in Mexico City, but for the Haitian fans who sold out and electrified Nu Stadium in Miami Friday night for a warmup match against Peru, their World Cup had already begun.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
7 June 2026
-
Perhaps not surprisingly, interest in fuel-efficient gas/electric hybrid- and full-electric powered vehicles is becoming, well, electrified.—
Jim Gorzelany,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2026
Verb
-
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
-
An early example of internet-viral fame, the then-47-year-old unemployed charity worker from rural Scotland delighted viewers and judges with her powerful, angelic voice and charm.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
-
Torres continues to show great flair in writing for Oscar winners, though, with Portman playing a mother delighted by her daughter’s interest in a step-child doll to torment.—
Jesse Hassenger,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Tax cuts and an assault on federal regulation have pleased many, even as tariffs, immigration restrictions and now spiking fuel prices and rising interest rates have kept the small business optimism index below historic averages.—
John Schroyer,
Forbes.com,
21 May 2026
-
Again, Brunello was a man at ease in his surroundings, pleased to share the docufilm about his life and philosophies.—
Randee Dawn,
Variety,
20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Exhilarated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exhilarated. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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