as in thrill
a pleasurably intense stimulation of the feelings
a cultural critic who argues that people have become too dependent upon the instant gratification and titillation that television and the Internet provide
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Recent Examples of titillation
Kristi Noem, the head of the Department of Homeland Security, posed in front of a group of immigrants sent to a torture site in El Salvador, in a show of sadistic titillation.
—
Ta-Nehisi Coates, Vanity Fair, 26 Jan. 2026
Turning our back on data would remove any outside accountability, leave policymakers driving a car without map or road, and lead the country to a place where the titillation of conspiracy and cherry-picked numbers become the only barometer of what’s real.
—Abby McCloskey, Twin Cities, 4 Jan. 2026
Historically, Minter said, such paintings were a sanctioned form of titillation.
—Dana Goodyear, New Yorker, 8 Dec. 2025
But the companies that were early to embrace mature AI also encountered legal and societal minefields and harmful abuse as a growing number of people have turned to the technology for companionship or titillation.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2025
There were moments of incredible intimacy as well as moments of titillation and moments of danger.
—Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 8 Oct. 2025
That’s a sad thing for fashion, because fashion is about titillation and should be fun.
—James Fallon, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2025
Ta-Nehisi Coates, Vanity Fair, 26 Jan. 2026
Turning our back on data would remove any outside accountability, leave policymakers driving a car without map or road, and lead the country to a place where the titillation of conspiracy and cherry-picked numbers become the only barometer of what’s real.
—Abby McCloskey, Twin Cities, 4 Jan. 2026
Historically, Minter said, such paintings were a sanctioned form of titillation.
—Dana Goodyear, New Yorker, 8 Dec. 2025
But the companies that were early to embrace mature AI also encountered legal and societal minefields and harmful abuse as a growing number of people have turned to the technology for companionship or titillation.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2025
There were moments of incredible intimacy as well as moments of titillation and moments of danger.
—Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 8 Oct. 2025
That’s a sad thing for fashion, because fashion is about titillation and should be fun.
—James Fallon, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for titillation
Noun
-
The chill one and the thrill seeker If one partner wants to go paragliding but the other is scared of heights, Grozdon said a compromise is in order.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Mar. 2026
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Beyond the sheer thrill of bargain hunting, Champagne believes a deeper transaction takes place at the estate sales.—
Zoey Goto,
Vogue,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Thirty-two minutes into the game, Sarasota scored when Paradise’s Jørgen Pettersen headed in a free-kick cross from near the corner flag.—
Amaia Gavica,
Idaho Statesman,
8 Mar. 2026
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Fears drew attention for another kick toward an opponent's groin.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Titillation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/titillation. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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