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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
So much so, conversations could take an unexpected but exhilarating turn. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 12 Aug. 2026 But luckily, the rest of women’s soccer didn’t get the memo, because the last few weekends of domestic and international games have been nothing short of exhilarating. — Emily Olsen, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026
Verb
Ozzy, who commanded audiences with his unpredictable, exhilarating live performances, was also known for his sharp sense of humor. — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 23 July 2026 For nearly two decades, Justin Bieber has cut a tumultuous, highly scrutinized, and often exhilarating path through pop music and global celebrity. — Dan Adler, Vanity Fair, 19 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
  • This is an exciting step forward for Eisenberg the director, who had a breakthrough a couple of years ago with the lovely A Real Pain, which earned co-star Kieran Culkin an Academy Award.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Mikel Arteta’s champions are built around a solid defence and strangling the opposition through possession, while Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea have had very little of the ball during his first few games, but have still built an exciting style.
    — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of exciting
Verb
  • Most Popular Still, some chefs are happy for a salad to contain an element of richness, like at Maison Sota in Paris, where chef Sota Atsumi serves mixed leaves and seasonal vegetables dressed with a rich foie gras sauce, to thrilling effect.
    — Joel Hart, Vogue, 11 Sep. 2026
  • The team began a brutal road trip with a thrilling series win against the Philadelphia Phillies.
    — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of thrilling
Verb
  • Congress approved a measure as part of its government funding bill in November 2025, initially giving companies until this November to comply with new restrictions on intoxicating hemp products that had been allowed under the 2018 farm bill.
    — Brandon Gomez, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Some of the biggest stars at this year’s Venice Film Festival won’t be the famous faces walking the red carpet, but the wildly high-profile subjects of documentaries that range from intoxicating to grippingly urgent.
    — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of intoxicating
Adjective
  • Engineered as a premier compact display for dedicated gaming setups and bedroom home theaters, the Sony A90K OLED delivers breathtaking visual fidelity.
    — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Nattiv skilfully braids together the key events that lead to Rita’s breakdown, with a breathtaking sense of tension across the flashbacks.
    — Tomris Laffly, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of breathtaking
Verb
  • At the center of it all is an electrifying performance by Robert Pattinson as Hansen, a man who aspires to powerful anchor machismo but is slowly falling apart.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Its bare bones prose and electrifying pictures preserve, honor and celebrate the people, places and ideas responsible for Rosales’ sentimental education.
    — Myriam Gurba, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of electrifying
Adjective
  • This is why silicon photonics is becoming particularly interesting.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Marshall had an interesting 3-yard run in the second quarter.
    — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of interesting
Adjective
  • In the wake of her breakup, Emma meets an intriguing guy, Luke (Cooper Raiff), at a nightclub.
    — Katie Walsh, Variety, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Until that happens or Hellebuyck is traded elsewhere, his availability will be intriguing.
    — Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of intriguing

Browse Nearby Words

exhilarates
exhilarating
exhilaration
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Cite this Entry

“Exhilarating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exhilarating. Accessed 19 Sep. 2026.

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