as in ecstasy
a state of overwhelming usually pleasurable emotion
in The Nutcracker Clara gazes in rapture as the Christmas tree grows before her very eyes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 21 July 2025
Deep in his rapture, Harold didn’t notice my mounting anxiety, my breath coming more heavily.
—Nicole Krauss, The Atlantic, 6 July 2025
Liam Adams, The Tennessean, 22 Nov. 2024
Yet Mendes mostly sees a cheap, useful instrument in Deakins—a shortcut to rapture.
—A.a. Dowd, Chron, 8 Dec. 2022
See All Example Sentences for rapture
Noun
At least two nineteenth-century poems by English Romantics—one by John Keats, one by Leigh Hunt—express rapture at seeing a preserved lock of John Milton’s hair.
—Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 21 July 2025
Deep in his rapture, Harold didn’t notice my mounting anxiety, my breath coming more heavily.
—Nicole Krauss, The Atlantic, 6 July 2025
Verb
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
Yet Mendes mostly sees a cheap, useful instrument in Deakins—a shortcut to rapture.
—A.a. Dowd, Chron, 8 Dec. 2022
See All Example Sentences for rapture
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rapture
Noun
-
According to the Washoe County Regional Medical Examiner's Office, in October 2023, Reece's death was ruled an accident resulting from acute toxicity due to a combination of cocaine, ethanol (alcohol), and MDMA (commonly known as ecstasy or Molly).—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Sep. 2025
-
No moment better captures the agony and ecstasy that sport provides than the contrasting emotions of two teams that have just contested a major final.—
Amanda Davies,
CNN Money,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
It’s left supporters on Capitol Hill delighted, frustrated, or wondering what’s next.—
Ramsey Touchberry,
The Washington Examiner,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Monteverde’s cloud forest is a haven for nature lovers, with canopy walks and wildlife encounters that will delight young and old alike.—
Travel + Leisure Editors,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
In water, adults enjoy Aurora’s partnership with SCUBA SHACK, Anguilla’s only PADI 5-Star Dive Resort, while kids find their heaven at the massive waterpark, complete with slides and a lazy river.—
Baz Dreisinger,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
-
Eccentric Lamb Fiber Arts is a crafter’s heaven and community hub, with fibers, tools, and classes for knitters, crocheters, weavers, and more.—
Angela Lian,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
And the words, while sparse, move together with pauses and spaces to form a musical, entrancing pace or rhythm, one that is distinct from everyday speech and which the reader must be willing to follow.—
Brian Robert Moore
September 5,
Literary Hub,
5 Sep. 2025
-
White’s anthology series has entranced viewers since its premiere in 2021.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
There was a spirit of abundance and joy, too; that can’t be remiss.—
Robyn Mowatt,
Essence,
12 Sep. 2025
-
The winning animal photos of the 2025 International Pet Photography Awards are a heartwarming, playful and artistic look at the animals that live among us, providing joy as pets.—
Cecilia Rodriguez,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Abrego was brought back in June to face criminal charges of transporting migrants living in the United States illegally.—
Ted Hesson,
USA Today,
7 Sep. 2025
-
One man was pronounced dead at the scene, while two of the five injured were transported to hospitals by helicopter and are listed in critical condition, the station reported.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Advertisement Advertisement The American Dream—the promise of happiness and financial success through hard work—has, of course, never truly been attainable to all.—
Alice Lassman,
Time,
8 Sep. 2025
-
And though Bezos hasn’t bought Vogue for his new bride as was reported for a while, and the two did reportedly sign a prenup, none of that seems to be affecting their current happiness.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Military rescue teams fanned out across the region, the defence ministry said in a statement, with 40 flights carrying away 420 wounded and dead.—
Mohammad Yunus Yawar,
USA Today,
1 Sep. 2025
-
Just 12 inches of rushing water can carry away most cars.—
Gina Lee Castro,
jsonline.com,
30 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rapture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rapture. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share