as in ecstatic
experiencing or marked by overwhelming usually pleasurable emotion
the winner's exhilarated glow was seen in newspaper photographs around the globe
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in thrilled
to cause a pleasurable stimulation of the feelings
the exhilarating feeling of flying that hang gliding offers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in excited
to fill with great joy
the climactic moment of commencement ceremonies usually exhilarates graduates and proud parents alike
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of exhilarated
Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2026
Dowling felt exhilarated and elated to see his pupil on top of the podium.
—Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Dunk seems at once exhilarated and overwhelmed.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
To some extent, that’s what accounts for so much of the exhilarated anticipation around his return.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 13 Jan. 2026
The set dressing is messy and shadowy, and yet, performance-wise, Gaga has never seemed more exhilarated.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 22 Dec. 2025
Since signing to Matador, the band has sharpened its sound into a quirky, exhilarated alt-pop, too uncanny to be dance-punk and too lively to be slacker rock.
—Vince Aletti, New Yorker, 3 Oct. 2025
That was the man who walked out smiling, a little overwhelmed but entirely calm, into the late afternoon Roman sunshine, to the roars of a stunned and exhilarated crowd.
—Anna Rowlands, Time, 12 May 2025
Walking into that pitch-black space, not seeing anything while having my eyes wide open exhilarated and frightened me.
—Jeryl Brunner, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Mar. 2026
Both essays make stark and rapid turns that defy traditional essay structure, moves that are destabilizing at the moment yet leave this reader exhilarated in the way Sloan circles back to her central concerns without ever settling for simple resolution.
—Literary Hub, 12 Mar. 2026
With its riveting trombone and smashing rhythms, the music exhilarated.
—Sheila Regan, Twin Cities, 27 Feb. 2026
Just take our word for it that Barbarian will leave you disturbed and exhilarated in equal measure.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Feb. 2026
So in my early and mid-20s, I was still exhilarated by just being free and alone in the world, and traveling, which agreed with me.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 11 Dec. 2025
Jen is exhilarated and ready to salsa her tuchis off, postpartum logistics be damned.
—Olivia Crandall, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2025
Adjective
Astronaut Nichole Ayers, who flew to space on Crew-10 in 2025, was part of the NASA broadcast team Wednesday evening and became emotional after seeing the launch surrounded by an exhilarated crowd.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2026
Dowling felt exhilarated and elated to see his pupil on top of the podium.
—Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Dunk seems at once exhilarated and overwhelmed.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
To some extent, that’s what accounts for so much of the exhilarated anticipation around his return.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 13 Jan. 2026
The set dressing is messy and shadowy, and yet, performance-wise, Gaga has never seemed more exhilarated.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 22 Dec. 2025
Since signing to Matador, the band has sharpened its sound into a quirky, exhilarated alt-pop, too uncanny to be dance-punk and too lively to be slacker rock.
—Vince Aletti, New Yorker, 3 Oct. 2025
That was the man who walked out smiling, a little overwhelmed but entirely calm, into the late afternoon Roman sunshine, to the roars of a stunned and exhilarated crowd.
—Anna Rowlands, Time, 12 May 2025
Walking into that pitch-black space, not seeing anything while having my eyes wide open exhilarated and frightened me.
—Jeryl Brunner, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
Verb
They are inspired by the stories of ancient cultures, captivated by the serenity of nature's wonders, and exhilarated by the excitement of encountering wildlife in their natural habitats.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Mar. 2026
Both essays make stark and rapid turns that defy traditional essay structure, moves that are destabilizing at the moment yet leave this reader exhilarated in the way Sloan circles back to her central concerns without ever settling for simple resolution.
—Literary Hub, 12 Mar. 2026
With its riveting trombone and smashing rhythms, the music exhilarated.
—Sheila Regan, Twin Cities, 27 Feb. 2026
Just take our word for it that Barbarian will leave you disturbed and exhilarated in equal measure.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Feb. 2026
So in my early and mid-20s, I was still exhilarated by just being free and alone in the world, and traveling, which agreed with me.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 11 Dec. 2025
Jen is exhilarated and ready to salsa her tuchis off, postpartum logistics be damned.
—Olivia Crandall, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exhilarated
Adjective
-
The Italian experimentalist goes absolutely haywire on a very overwhelming, very fun half-hour of ecstatic avant metal.—
Sam Goldner,
Pitchfork,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Ilia Malinin might have just gone public with his new girlfriend, and his fans aren't too ecstatic about the relationship.—
Tyler Erzberger,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
And those who know Gilbert & Sullivan’s repertoire will be thrilled with the accompanying concert of G&S favorites.—
News Release,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
-
In the historic mining town of Tonopah, many locals are thrilled with the economy.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The team is excited by Thornton, who made the team as an undrafted rookie last season.—
Mike Kaye
March 26,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Mar. 2026
-
My granddaughter was accepted and excited about going to Loyola University.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Lanzone, 55, finally got his chance after the private equity firm Apollo Global Management paid $5 billion to take over Yahoo in September 2021 — a fraction of its peak $125 billion market value reached during the dot-com boom’s giddy days in early 2000.—
Michael Liedtke,
Fortune,
29 Mar. 2026
-
The Braves have every reason to feel giddy about their latest Sale investment.—
Gabriel Burns,
AJC.com,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The man who once electrified golf fans around the world is picking up the pieces from yet another mess he’s made.—
CNN.com Wire Service,
Mercury News,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The man who once electrified golf fans around the world is picking up the pieces from yet another mess he’s made.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The debate within the Democratic coalition is already bigger and louder, dividing moderates in swing states from progressives elated by Mamdani's rocket to victory in the nation's largest city.—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
For more than 15 years, this interactive walking tour, scavenger hunt and theater adventure has delighted guests exploring Greenwich Village.—
Abraham Swee,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Six were overturned by Major League Baseball’s new ABS challenge system, including back-to-back strike three challenges by Reds slugger Eugenio Suárez that delighted the crowd.—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Nothing Olitzky could have said about the Gaza war would likely have pleased all the members of Beth El.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Hugo erred on the side of religious tolerance, while accepting state meddling in church affairs, positions that pleased no one in power.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Exhilarated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exhilarated. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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