exhilarating 1 of 2

adjective

ig-ˈzi-lə-ˌrā-tiŋ How to pronounce exhilarating (audio)
Definition of exhilaratingnext
as in exciting
causing great emotional or mental stimulation no recording can capture the exhilarating feeling of being at a live rock concert

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

exhilarating

2 of 2

verb

present participle of exhilarate
1
as in thrilling
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 intoxicating
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 exhilarating
Adjective
The busiest day of the World Cup was the city’s final match day on July 11, when Argentina beat Switzerland in an exhilarating quarterfinal that went to extra time. — Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 29 Oct. 2026 The idea that there’d be someone else that gets them is exhilarating. — Daniel D'addario, Variety, 28 Oct. 2026
Verb
Would the audience member’s sexuality affect the experience, turning it from something exhilarating into something threatening? — Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026 So we were headed for a weird, wild, exhilarating finish, all right. — Jayson Stark, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for exhilarating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exhilarating
  1. exciting
  2. thrilling
  3. intoxicating
  4. breathtaking
  5. electrifying
  6. interesting
  7. intriguing
Adjective
  • The exciting duo of quarterback Braden Atkinson and Heisman Trophy hopeful wide receiver Jesse Legree leads the Beavers.
    — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Properties are primarily based in cities, and Mallorca feels like a fresh and exciting new arm to its impressive portfolio, which now spans 46 hotels as well as private residences.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of exciting
Verb
  • The Lakers turned the ball over on the next possession, but pieced together an 8-1 run during the fourth quarter to pull away for a thrilling nine-point win after trailing by 18 during the second quarter.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Slumps and funks come for everyone, and a five-foot-nine right fielder for the Brewers named Sal Frelick might launch a home run in Game Two of the World Series to cap off a thrilling late-game comeback.
    — Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of thrilling
Verb
  • The film’s giddy opening moments fall into a tradition of New York movies that sweep us up, in a disorienting, intoxicating blur, into the city’s after-hours enclaves.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2026
  • But manufacturers figured out how to synthetically derive other similar intoxicating products, like delta-8-THC, or just made a big enough product to contain an intoxicating amount of THC.
    — Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of intoxicating
Adjective
  • Turbulence tossed it up and down by 700 feet (200 meters), but the situation quickly escalated as the aircraft fell at breathtaking speed.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Nov. 2026
  • The situation quickly escalated as the aircraft fell at breathtaking speed.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of breathtaking
Verb
  • Malcolm played rhythm guitar, while his younger brother Angus became known for his electrifying guitar solos and signature schoolboy uniform.
    — Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 8 Nov. 2026
  • The hope is that by electrifying more industries and communities, clean renewable power can replace fossil fuel generation and reduce those greenhouse gas emissions.
    — Dan Peck, ABC News, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of electrifying
Adjective
  • Kentucky Most of the attention today will go to Miami-Notre Dame and the Holy War, which makes Kentucky the most interesting spot on the board.
    — OutKick, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2026
  • For fall to winter, the trick is to introduce heavier textures, interesting proportions, and accessories that feel decidedly more 2026 than 2006.
    — Georgia Brown, Glamour, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of interesting
Adjective
  • The centrepiece of the archaeological site is a massive rock which is more than 20 feet long and features an intriguing engraving of a powerful being.
    — James Rampton, TheWeek, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Touches of surrealism—or even magic—in author-illustrator Jimmy Liao’s detailed artwork add intriguing layers to the story.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of intriguing

Browse Nearby Words

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exhilarating
exhilaration
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Cite this Entry

“Exhilarating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exhilarating. Accessed 15 Nov. 2026.

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