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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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
How to pack Living on the road for an entire year was exhilarating. — Sara Sturek, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Sep. 2026 Alfie Cosgrove/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images Alvaro Arbeloa’s Fulham have been an exhilarating watch across the early weeks of the Premier League season, but the free-flowing attacking football at Craven Cottage has come at a cost. — Thom Harris, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Verb
The philosophical qualities that define Lindelof’s best work, as well as his stories’ exhilarating strangeness, get lost in the jumble of voices. — Judy Berman, Time, 14 Aug. 2026 The ease of Letty’s romance with Montgomery’s character is positively exhilarating by comparison, and Brown makes the most of the contrast. — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 28 July 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
  • More hotels are expected from exciting names in hospitality like Edition, W, and Rocco Forte—just in time too, as Milan will co-host the winter Olympics in 2026, a duty shared with the ski town of Cortina d’Ampezzo in the Dolomites.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Oct. 2026
  • There is always more to do; often more exciting, more rewarding, more fruitful work, thanks to technology.
    — Ali Kashani, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of exciting
Verb
  • Halloween on the Hill Des Moines The historic homes in Des Moines’ Sherman Hill neighborhood become a spectacle of haunting decorations and thrilling sights during the annual Halloween on the Hill event.
    — Michelle Mastro, Midwest Living, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The last time the Indians started a season 6-0 was in 1967, but Keller equaled that by virtue of a thrilling 49-42 win over Trophy Club Byron Nelson in key District 4-6A game on Thursday night at Keller ISD Stadium.
    — Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of thrilling
Verb
  • Yet that formula, underpinned by a staff-to-guest ratio of 6 to 1, proved intoxicating.
    — Robb Report, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Cory Harris, a lobbyist for state-legal cannabis operators, suggested that dire predictions about its effect on the intoxicating hemp industry are overstated.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of intoxicating
Adjective
  • Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu is one of Southern California’s most breathtaking drives — but also one of its deadliest.
    — Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Sonos Era 500 Immerse yourself in breathtaking sound from every direction with the Sonos Era 300 Smart Speaker.
    — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of breathtaking
Verb
  • After its electrifying premiere, there were quickly reports that A24 is focused on a Best Picture campaign for the film in large part because the Academy’s fusty Documentary Branch may opt not to nominate it for Best Documentary Feature.
    — Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The Minnesota Lynx's electrifying guard, Olivia Miles, has been named the Kia WNBA Rookie of the Year.
    — Cole Premo, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of electrifying
Adjective
  • Disappointingly, her screenplay proceeds to unfold in a procession of frustrating get-outs and compromises, repeatedly choosing the least interesting or challenging direction to take this would-be throuple.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
  • This would provide some interesting tactical options for the Navy, especially for conflicts with rivals, like China.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of interesting
Adjective
  • By 2036, the spacecraft is scheduled to rendezvous with its final and most intriguing target, 269 Justitia.
    — Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Jeremy Strong making no facial expression as Mark Zuckerberg, on the other hand, was not intriguing enough to tempt theatergoers.
    — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of intriguing

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Exhilarating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exhilarating. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

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