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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
-
The oil painting depicts a towering John the Baptist pouring water on the head of an even larger, almost shimmering Jesus; in the background, God, angels and cherubs look down from heaven in an ecstatic frenzy.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
17 Apr. 2026
-
James and his partner, Katrina Engle, welcomed a son in July 2021, and Potts was ecstatic.—
Emy LaCroix,
PEOPLE,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But Rams coach Sean McVay did not seem thrilled with the selection of Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Like Lomu, Jacas was thrilled to receive a call from the Patriots.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Carolina Panthers have given quarterback Bryce Young a lot to be excited about as the team’s spring activities begin.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Future forward thinking excited the young and the old immigrants in Dubai.—
Mina Al-Oraibi,
Time,
14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
But many people on the right were giddy.—
Zach Helfand,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Afterward, thousands of giddy fans thronged the malecón, Havana’s seaside promenade, laughing and drinking rum.—
Kate Linthicum,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Daughter Nancy Haver said her mom graduated from high school in 1936 and her family’s farmhouse was electrified in 1938.—
Elizabeth Marie Himchak,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
-
The man who once electrified golf fans around the world is picking up the pieces from yet another mess he’s made.—
CNN.com Wire Service,
Mercury News,
30 Mar. 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
-
That could spell the end of the line for Sporkey, Rex, Hamm, Bo Peep and the other dolls and action figures that once delighted Bonnie.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Those interested in sampling local cuisine will be delighted by the varied dining options, including down-home barbecue joints, classic diners, and an ever-growing selection of spots featuring global cuisines.—
Ellie Nan Storck,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
A couple giggling teens popped on and off that scale recently, pleased, apparently, by the reading.—
Howard Cohen,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Exhilarated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exhilarated. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
