exhilarated 1 of 2

adjective

ig-ˈzi-lə-ˌrā-təd How to pronounce exhilarated (audio)
Definition of exhilaratednext
as in ecstatic
experiencing or marked by overwhelming usually pleasurable emotion the winner's exhilarated glow was seen in newspaper photographs around the globe

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

exhilarated

2 of 2

verb

past tense of exhilarate
1
as in thrilled
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 excited
to fill with great joy the climactic moment of commencement ceremonies usually exhilarates graduates and proud parents alike

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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 exhilarated
Adjective
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
Verb
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 See All Example Sentences for exhilarated
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exhilarated
  1. ecstatic
  2. thrilled
  3. excited
  4. giddy
  5. electrified
  6. elated
  7. delighted
  8. pleased
Adjective
  • His prose radiates an ecstatic pessimism, as if lit up from within by the relief of not having to sugarcoat things with comforting lies.
    — Peter C. Baker, New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2026
  • There was little doubt fans would be ecstatic about Patrick Kane coming back.
    — Scott Powers, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of ecstatic
Verb
  • Jerry and Tally Leonard have thrilled shoppers and open-skate crowds for decades at the Lloyd Center in Portland, Oregon.
    — Casey Parks, Washington Post, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Allie googled her former teacher at home and was thrilled to see her campaign website.
    — Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of thrilled
Verb
  • Ritchson, Morgan, Kirschenbaum and Roth pitched the project as Fast & Furious with motorcycles, which excited the studio given Morgan and Kirschenbaum’s ties to that Universal franchise.
    — Justin Kroll, Deadline, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Twins players were excited before Friday’s game about the addition of Minter, who’s expected to join the team on Saturday.
    — Dan Hayes, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of excited
Adjective
  • Bailey and Hedges should be giddy about programming PitchCom to account for everything their new battery mate can toss their way.
    — Zack Meisel, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Most appealing of all are those moments at which McLoughlin turns into an eager chatelaine, not so much dropping names as introducing them to one another, in the hope of a giddy intellectual chemistry.
    — Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of giddy
Verb
  • Because a versatile, full-size 1,000-mile (1,600-km) electrified SUV that just happens to integrate full sleeping and dining accommodations sure sounds like an impressive evolution of the camper to us.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Hometown hero Uros Medic electrified the Arena, securing a stunning 30-second TKO over Daniel Rodriguez in the main event, his eighth stoppage.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of electrified
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
Definition of elated
Verb
  • Since its debut, the exhibition's illuminated Victorian-style gazebos have delighted millions of guests and become part of countless family traditions.
    — S.E. Jenkins, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The trade infuriated fans and likely delighted the MLB executives and owners who are thirsty to implement a hard salary cap in the next collective bargaining agreement.
    — Jon Greenberg, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of delighted
Verb
  • New Hampshire Democrats not pleased One-time heavyweights New Hampshire and Iowa battled to reclaim spots at the front of the calendar and weighed whether to go rogue against the DNC.
    — Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 24 July 2026
  • Jim was, however, pleased to see that Citi thinks Azure is doing well.
    — Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 15 July 2026
Definition of pleased

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Cite this Entry

“Exhilarated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exhilarated. Accessed 12 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on exhilarated

Nglish: Translation of exhilarated for Spanish Speakers

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