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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 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
-
Perhaps a few were content with the chase alone, a chance to relive the thrill of hunting days gone by when large game was common.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 June 2026
-
Gone is the vintage Magic Flyer, once Magic Mountain’s oldest coaster (the park’s eldest thrill seeker is now Gold Rusher).—
Todd Martens,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
Cobolli likes to stand way over near the corner of the court and hit big kick serves out wide into the ad court.—
Andrew Dampf,
Los Angeles Times,
7 June 2026
-
In fairness to RoboClown, that kid was standing directly in the path of its kicks.—
Austin Perry OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
6 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Titillation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/titillation. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
