titillation

Definition of titillationnext
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for titillation
Noun
  • The beloved original delivered plenty of twists, thrills, and chills, courtesy of director Griffin Dunne and Alice Hoffman, who wrote the novels the 1998 and 2026 films are based on.
    Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Sep. 2026
  • That’s setting a tough bar to clear, but what a thrill if Rock can do it.
    Joe Reid, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • On the opening weekend, at the City Ground, they were set for a good 0-0 draw before Anton Stach stole the points with a show-stopping free-kick winner.
    Beren Cross, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Georgia Tech responded 14 seconds later as Rahkeem Smith returned a kick 100 yards for a touchdown and tied the game.
    ABC News, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Titillation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/titillation. Accessed 20 Sep. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster