Definition of rapturenext

rapture

2 of 2

verb

as in to delight
to fill with overwhelming emotion (as wonder or delight) nature lovers will be raptured by the documentary's breathtaking cinematography

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word rapture distinct from other similar nouns?

The words ecstasy and transport are common synonyms of rapture. While all three words mean "intense exaltation of mind and feelings," rapture usually implies intense bliss or beatitude.

in speechless rapture

How do ecstasy and rapture relate to one another?

Ecstasy and rapture both suggest a state of trance or near immobility produced by an overpowering emotion; ecstasy may apply to any strong emotion (such as joy, fear, rage, adoration).

religious ecstasy

When might transport be a better fit than rapture?

In some situations, the words transport and rapture are roughly equivalent. However, transport applies to any powerful emotion that lifts one out of oneself and usually provokes vehement expression or frenzied action.

in a transport of rage

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 rapture
Noun
Despite their success — statistically, Mexico’s best ever two opening World Cup games in their history — compare the mood in Guadalajara to the rapture which greeted the performances of fellow hosts United States and Canada. — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 19 June 2026 Just four minutes later, Baggio doubled the Italians’ lead with a swift half-volley, sending the capacity crowd inside of New Jersey’s Giants Stadium into raptures. — Shaun Goodwin june 8, Idaho Statesman, 8 June 2026
Verb
For a movie about an apocalyptic clash of vampires and gangsters, Sinners has moments of unexpected jubilance, even rapture. — A.a. Dowd, Rolling Stone, 17 Apr. 2025 Dispensationalism has an offensive reputation among many Jews because the End Times prophecy outlines an event in which Jews suffer mass slaughter while Christian believers are spared because God raptured them. — Liam Adams, The Tennessean, 22 Nov. 2024 See All Example Sentences for rapture
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rapture
Noun
  • Dance movies marvelously translate primal emotions into motion, the human body becoming a supple instrument deftly communicating the pain, ecstasy and confusion of being alive.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
  • In the space of a few paragraphs, Ned will abandon and recover his child, bungle an extramarital affair, win and lose, experience ecstasy and dejection.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Located in a petite strip mall off I-75, the doughnut shop lacks frills but delights with an array of yeast and cake-style doughnuts.
    — Lia Picard, AJC.com, 27 Sep. 2026
  • The independent company prioritized restoring the hotel, which has a place on the National Register of Historic Places, to its former splendor and updating it to delight modern sensibilities.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • This world’s heavens are lit with cosmic rays, its cityscapes otherworldly — everything seems to service an unabashed romanticism.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026
  • And thanks to Tucson’s extraordinarily dark heavens, the Sonoran skyscape takes center stage with Peace Among the Stars.
    — Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 28 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • For the last two years, the story has entranced showgoers with its heartbreaking portrayal of an imperfect love story.
    — Emmalee Reed, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2026
  • She becomes entranced by a mural painted on the walls of the bedroom and is tormented in her dreams and eventually in her waking hours by a powerful force.
    — Ashley Woo, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The joy in this book is how once-secret desire is eventually and fully met by, and with, love.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026
  • One of them was Maggie Bieritz, one of those people who radiates joy and wit.
    — Heidi Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 2 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • While the Starship spacecraft is a 171-foot-tall colossus designed to transport people to deep space, Dragon is a 13-foot-wide capsule fit to carry about four astronauts at a time to low-Earth orbit, where the International Space Station resides.
    — Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Power plants go mobile Unlike a conventional stationary power plant, the DT18 packages are intended to be transported and deployed where additional electricity is needed.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 30 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Still, some royal observers don’t think their happiness will last.
    — Allison DeGrushe, StyleCaster, 5 Oct. 2026
  • The happiness was real, for a time, but the two artists, each with his own distinct problems and needs, were not going to be happy together, or with anyone else, for long.
    — Alan Hollinghurst, The New York Review of Books, 3 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • None of this means the machine is annoyed, jealous or anxious to please.
    — Puneet Gaur, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Joel’s collection is also home to several Ducatis, something sure to please the snootier connoisseurs out there.
    — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 30 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Rapture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rapture. Accessed 7 Oct. 2026.

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