as in to excite
to cause a pleasurable stimulation of the feelings
tabloids titillate their readers with racy details about the private lives of media-created celebrities
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Recent Examples of titillate
The designs were puckish and gender-bending, evoking both awe and repulsion—the sort of clothing that titillates lovers of conceptual fashion and bewilders the uninitiated.
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Ana Karina Zatarain, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2025
The poet titillates, commands by images—and only thus persuades.
—Elaine L. Wang
september 11, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025
These tête-à-têtes can also titillate the tabloids, which can only speculate about what’s being discussed as the ball is thwacked about.
—Avery Stone, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2025
Antonioni’s critical distance from this mass display makes something of a grim parody of the Sexual Revolution, suggesting that its liberatory possibilities have been forgotten in the name of titillating distraction.
—Jake Cole, IndieWire, 18 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for titillate
Ana Karina Zatarain, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2025
The poet titillates, commands by images—and only thus persuades.
—Elaine L. Wang
september 11, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025
These tête-à-têtes can also titillate the tabloids, which can only speculate about what’s being discussed as the ball is thwacked about.
—Avery Stone, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2025
Antonioni’s critical distance from this mass display makes something of a grim parody of the Sexual Revolution, suggesting that its liberatory possibilities have been forgotten in the name of titillating distraction.
—Jake Cole, IndieWire, 18 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for titillate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for titillate
Verb
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The color of the aurora depends on which gas is being excited by the electrons and on how much energy is being exchanged, NASA said.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
11 Nov. 2025
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There are, of course, a lot of folks excited about the prospect of the ChatGPT maker (newly freed from its complicated nonprofit shackles) listing its shares on public markets to raise billions upon billions – and potentially make oodles of money for everyone who gets on board.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN Money,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Dana Hills overcame a 20-point deficit to beat Aquinas of San Bernardino in a thrilling 27-26 win in the first round of the CIF-SS Division 3 playoffs Friday at Dana Hills High.—
Michael Huntley,
Oc Register,
8 Nov. 2025
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The explosive trailer showcases the series’ signature elements including witty dialogues, high-octane action, thrilling chases and the blurred lines between Srikant’s personal and professional life.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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In February, Brazil pulses with the beat of Carnival, as sequins, samba, and street parades electrify cities across the country.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Nov. 2025
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Loud Luxury Turns SoFi Stadium Into the Club Canadian DJ duo Loud Luxury brings in club-level energy to SoFi with an electrifying set.—
Cat Johnson,
Billboard,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Titillate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/titillate. Accessed 25 Nov. 2025.
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