exhilarate 1 of 3

verb (1)

ig-ˈzi-lə-ˌrāt How to pronounce exhilarate (audio)
Definition of exhilaratenext
1
as in to thrill
to cause a pleasurable stimulation of the feelings the exhilarating feeling of flying that hang gliding offers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to excite
to fill with great joy the climactic moment of commencement ceremonies usually exhilarates graduates and proud parents alike

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

exhilarating

2 of 3

adjective

ig-ˈzi-lə-ˌrā-tiŋ How to pronounce exhilarating (audio)
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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

exhilarating

3 of 3

verb (2)

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

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

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 exhilarate
Verb
The expectations for the USA are not huge for this tournament – just ask Gary Lineker – but a scintillating performance such as what took place on SoFi Stadium’s turf on Friday night is something that will exhilarate soccer fans and the soccer-curious around the country. — Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 13 June 2026 To be in Fort Worth for the better part of the last eight, nine months was exhilarating. — Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 June 2026
Adjective
In an exhilarating tournament in which nearly all the big stars have performed, including France’s Kylian Mbappé, who leads the Golden Boot standings with eight goals, Yamal has been unspectacular so far, registering one goal and no assists. — David Hickey, NBC news, 14 July 2026 The tiny island nation kept advancing, drawing Uruguay and Saudi Arabia to reach the Round of 32 before finally bowing out to defending champion Argentina in an exhilarating match that may have been the best of the tournament so far. — Daniel Ross Goodman, The Washington Examiner, 11 July 2026
Verb
Set at an ancient castle deep in the Scottish Highlands, contestants work together on a series of exhilarating missions to build a prize fund worth up to $250,000. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 11 May 2026 On top of that, there were times when the show’s polish crossed over the line from exhilarating to over-managed. — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 30 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for exhilarate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exhilarate
  1. thrill
  2. excite
  3. electrify
  4. delight
  5. elate
  6. intoxicate
Verb
  • Together with our partners at the BBC, we are thrilled to be working with the dream team of David, Lenny, Claire, Matthew and Element Pictures to bring this beautiful love story to life.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 30 July 2026
  • For its part, Netflix has not been thrilled with Afram’s response to the situation either.
    — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 30 July 2026
Definition of thrill
Verb
  • Moments like the one below against Eintracht Frankfurt should excite Madrid fans.
    — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 30 July 2026
  • Crow’s theory is that some of his preferred candidates—Marine drill sergeants, federal prosecutors—are more likely to excite those who are down on both parties.
    — Philip Elliott, Time, 27 July 2026
Definition of excite
Verb
  • The Three Lions held Argentina off the scoresheet for 85 minutes, but Lionel Messi sparked another electrifying come-from-behind win.
    — Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 19 July 2026
  • For the latest generation—the sixth since 1994—all RAV4s are electrified.
    — Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 16 July 2026
Definition of electrify
Verb
  • Mitchell entered the theater just after the clip ended and was delighted by the immersive effects.
    — Matt Minton, Variety, 19 July 2026
  • Meanwhile, across the street, The Hitch General Store delights visitors with nostalgic treats such as Goo Goo Clusters, Moon Pies, jams, honey, and classic bottled sodas.
    — Korrin Bishop, Southern Living, 18 July 2026
Definition of delight
Verb
  • There were decisions that would elate or devastate players.
    — Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 24 May 2026
  • This helped convince the administration to shift to their side, elating students, especially Simpson.
    — Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026
Definition of elate
Verb
  • The Washington Commanders announced the firing of tight ends coach Ben Steele on Monday following his recent arrest on suspicion of driving while intoxicated in Virginia.
    — Nicki Jhabvala, New York Times, 27 July 2026
  • For those who missed it, the former Dallas Cowboys quarterback was arrested in Milwaukee Thursday night for allegedly operating while intoxicated.
    — Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 25 July 2026
Definition of intoxicate

Browse Nearby Words

exhibits
exhilarate
exhilarated
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Exhilarate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exhilarate. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on exhilarate

Nglish: Translation of exhilarate for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of spindrift

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul. 31

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All