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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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
Set at a castle deep in the Scottish Highlands, this nail-biting psychological adventure sees contestants work together on a series of exhilarating missions to build a prize fund worth up to $250,000. — Katie Campione, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026 Would the audience member’s sexuality affect the experience, turning it from something exhilarating into something threatening? — Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026
Adjective
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling’s (TNA) pay-per-view Bound for Glory was an exhilarating ride that saw multiple championships change hands, including the world championship in the main event. — Ryan Gaydos Outkick, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026 But is manifesting a technology that could result in the end of humankind equally as exhilarating for top engineering talent as extraterrestrial exploration? — Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 28 Sep. 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 exhilarate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exhilarate
  1. thrill
  2. excite
  3. electrify
  4. delight
  5. elate
  6. intoxicate
Verb
  • Sarah Cifarelli, the LAX arts program director, was thrilled when Sonia-Wallace reached out about doing an installation at the airport.
    — Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026
  • This thrilled hardcore Journey fans, but enraged the other members of the group.
    — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of thrill
Verb
  • After a two-year wait, Apple has updated the iPad mini with a huge spec and performance bump that should excite fans of the pocketable tablet.
    — Eric Zeman, PC Magazine, 28 Oct. 2026
  • With the whole crew excited about the McCarthy news, Kevin sent a pic to the group chat featuring an image of a giant TV with the announcement on it.
    — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of excite
Verb
  • Earlier this year, a Nevada company rebooted efforts to lease more than 3,700 acres of public land in southern Ada County for a 4-million-square-foot data center complex, as well as a new power plant to help electrify it.
    — Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The Cougars stuffed all the ways Utah likes to run the ball until Dampier took matters into his own hands and posted a season high in rushing in electrifying style.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of electrify
Verb
  • That perspective aligned with the enduring Italian belief that objects should delight, particularly during periods of collective hardship.
    — Adrian Madlener, Curbed, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The calendar can become a series of buildups and letdowns around the prospect of surprise delights.
    — Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 2 Nov. 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
  • Melissa Rycroft has been arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated, again.
    — Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Indiana State Police said a Chicago woman called 911 on herself over the weekend while driving dangerously and while intoxicated on I-65 in Jasper County.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of intoxicate

Browse Nearby Words

exhibits
exhilarate
exhilarated
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Cite this Entry

“Exhilarate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exhilarate. Accessed 5 Nov. 2026.

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