as in exciting
causing great emotional or mental stimulation
no recording can capture the exhilarating feeling of being at a live rock concert
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in thrilling
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 intoxicating
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 exhilarating
Mariama Boney, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
These hyperbolic fantasies of socialist surrealism are often exhilarating, but Riley’s wild spectrum of images and ideas doesn’t fit readily into a clear critique.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 22 May 2026
Kansas City Star, 16 Mar. 2026
The pure potential of nuclear technology was exhilarating to contemplate in the abstract, but the ideas of science fiction are not always so smoothly integrated into the messy reality of the real world.
—Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for exhilarating
Adjective
The experience was short, intense, exhilarating and, honestly, a little nauseating.
—Mariama Boney, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
These hyperbolic fantasies of socialist surrealism are often exhilarating, but Riley’s wild spectrum of images and ideas doesn’t fit readily into a clear critique.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 22 May 2026
Verb
Because true as that was technically, that distinction was more fundamental than incidental in a league so defined by that very line — especially considering their once-exhilarating offense had turned stale over much of the season.
—Kansas City Star, 16 Mar. 2026
The pure potential of nuclear technology was exhilarating to contemplate in the abstract, but the ideas of science fiction are not always so smoothly integrated into the messy reality of the real world.
—Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for exhilarating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exhilarating
Adjective
-
For a culture hit, there’s the contemporary Saatchi Gallery in Duke of York Square and the nearby Royal Court theatre, known for championing exciting, up-and-coming playwrights.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
Experience magic as the aquarium comes alive with glowing corals and exciting live performances.—
Kayla Rivera,
AJC.com,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
The Vegas Golden Knights have taken Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final, erasing the Carolina Hurricanes' early 2-0 lead to win a thrilling 5-4 game in Raleigh and set the tone for this best-of-seven series.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
3 June 2026
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The scene was genuinely awful to watch, but the movie—a story of plague, passion, period costumes, and an unwashed man in a tunic skipping town to cure writer’s block—ended up thrilling us; the portrayal of two creative minds working together (and apart) was, oddly, familiar.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
On fragrance profiles, the debut eaux de parfum each took a bold approach, leaving behind a trail of intoxicating notes wherever the wearer strolled.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
3 June 2026
-
Following the second test, Grimaldi was arrested, and he was charged with operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor.—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
3 June 2026
Adjective
-
River Bend Overlook A bend in the Little Missouri River gives this overlook its name, which also flaunts breathtaking, panoramic views of the North Unit's badlands.—
Julia Sayers Gokhale,
Midwest Living,
1 June 2026
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Astronauts on the International Space Station are usually immersed in groundbreaking science experiments or witnessing breathtaking cosmic sights – not showcasing their skills in the culinary arts.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
The Rockies scored five runs in the ninth on a three-run home run by Hunter Goodman and a walk-off, two-run homer by Ezequiel Tovar to shock the Giants in an electrifying 8-6 win at Coors Field.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
30 May 2026
-
Club officials envisioned a trade for Ohtani as transformative, elevating their team to a legitimate World Series contender, electrifying their dormant market.—
Ken Rosenthal,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
The mini-bar had a decent selection of interesting snacks, and for coffee there’s a Nespresso machine.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 June 2026
-
The white, wavy detailing adds just enough contrast to feel fresh and interesting without sacrificing comfort or versatility.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
31 May 2026
Adjective
-
Always an intriguing mix, the guests would make good extras, of course.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
So the trade deadline could represent an early opportunity for the Mets to add intriguing major-league talent.—
Tim Britton,
New York Times,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Exhilarating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exhilarating. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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