as in kicks
a pleasurably intense stimulation of the feelings
everyone gets a real thrill out of the Independence Day fireworks
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in excites
to cause a pleasurable stimulation of the feelings of
I was thrilled to hear that you got the promotion that you'd been so desperately wanting
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of thrills
Rachel Chang, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 June 2026
The thrills that once fueled their infatuation fade out, and a sense of security fades in.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
By combining the visual splendor and thrills of the cinema with a more extensive, intimate view into the character’s daily life previously only seen in the novels, the new video game version of 007 provides more of everything, and may not be fully reliant on periodic installments to dole out bliss.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 28 May 2026
The program has endured its fair share of thrills and heartbreak with five state semifinal appearances since its last title win in 2015.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 May 2026
Perhaps, but Alonso’s attentive gaze reworks the meaning of excitement such that a banal exchange with the nearby farmhand, and a drive into the nearby village, provide minor thrills — that is, if you’re properly settled onto Alonso’s serenely sluggish wavelength.
—Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 16 May 2026
The 30 other rides here will captivate you with the timeless thrills and evocative design of this storied park.
—Zachary Laks, Travel + Leisure, 15 May 2026
With symphonic works, chamber delights, and operatic thrills on the calendar, here are three of the highlights.
—Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 14 May 2026
For more thrills, head to Parque de Aventura Las Nubes for hiking and ziplining.
—Essence, 13 May 2026
Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
The idea unnerves critics but thrills its architects.
—Andrew R. Chow, Time, 6 May 2026
Being on the very limit — that’s what thrills him.
—Luke Smith, New York Times, 1 Apr. 2026
Abigail is the one who clearly thrills to performance; Shaun consistently orbits her sun, giving the impression of the bearded and bespectacled multi-instrumentalist who’d be happy jamming on the sidelines.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 17 Mar. 2026
But all that intensity and power unappreciated by that Belle Epoque audience now thrills us to our core.
—Luis Palomares, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2026
The mind thrills to imagine a genderless prophet among the brocades and buckskin breeches of Revolutionary America, weirding out the normies, sticking a flower in the barrel of a musket, and goading the new nation to let its hair down—literally.
—Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
While airborne, the dancer crosses his legs in the air twice before landing, a feat that thrills ballet enthusiasts who are known to burst into applause at its conclusion.
—Marcia Luttrell, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025
Noun
Stop by the practice sessions While nothing beats the thrills of watching the high-stakes action on the actual courts, Sharapova advises fans to head out to practice courts.
—Rachel Chang, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 June 2026
The thrills that once fueled their infatuation fade out, and a sense of security fades in.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
By combining the visual splendor and thrills of the cinema with a more extensive, intimate view into the character’s daily life previously only seen in the novels, the new video game version of 007 provides more of everything, and may not be fully reliant on periodic installments to dole out bliss.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 28 May 2026
The program has endured its fair share of thrills and heartbreak with five state semifinal appearances since its last title win in 2015.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 May 2026
Perhaps, but Alonso’s attentive gaze reworks the meaning of excitement such that a banal exchange with the nearby farmhand, and a drive into the nearby village, provide minor thrills — that is, if you’re properly settled onto Alonso’s serenely sluggish wavelength.
—Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 16 May 2026
The 30 other rides here will captivate you with the timeless thrills and evocative design of this storied park.
—Zachary Laks, Travel + Leisure, 15 May 2026
With symphonic works, chamber delights, and operatic thrills on the calendar, here are three of the highlights.
—Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 14 May 2026
For more thrills, head to Parque de Aventura Las Nubes for hiking and ziplining.
—Essence, 13 May 2026
Verb
The ensemble acting of it all thrills me.
—Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
The idea unnerves critics but thrills its architects.
—Andrew R. Chow, Time, 6 May 2026
Being on the very limit — that’s what thrills him.
—Luke Smith, New York Times, 1 Apr. 2026
Abigail is the one who clearly thrills to performance; Shaun consistently orbits her sun, giving the impression of the bearded and bespectacled multi-instrumentalist who’d be happy jamming on the sidelines.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 17 Mar. 2026
But all that intensity and power unappreciated by that Belle Epoque audience now thrills us to our core.
—Luis Palomares, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2026
The mind thrills to imagine a genderless prophet among the brocades and buckskin breeches of Revolutionary America, weirding out the normies, sticking a flower in the barrel of a musket, and goading the new nation to let its hair down—literally.
—Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
While airborne, the dancer crosses his legs in the air twice before landing, a feat that thrills ballet enthusiasts who are known to burst into applause at its conclusion.
—Marcia Luttrell, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thrills
Noun
-
Butker made a couple of long kicks on Wednesday, including an impressive stretch to end the workout.—
Pete Sweeney
June 3,
Kansas City Star,
3 June 2026
-
The water-resistant kicks are made from recycled bottles, contain anti-microbial and anti-odor properties in the insole, and have the brand’s signature anatomical cushioning and arch support for superior comfort.—
Lauren Finney Harden,
InStyle,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
Football, in general, still excites Williams.—
Cam Inman,
Mercury News,
7 June 2026
-
And that's what excites me now in this period of transition in my career.—
Caroline Killilea,
PEOPLE,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
27 May 2026
-
Whether the product delivers on—and delights—expectations.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
What starts as one state utility trying to see its own network more clearly could end up as part of the blueprint for how the developing world electrifies its future.—
Ken Silverstein,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2026
-
This transit electrifies creativity, romance, pleasure and self-expression.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Thrills.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thrills. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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