exhilarate

verb

ex·​hil·​a·​rate ig-ˈzi-lə-ˌrāt How to pronounce exhilarate (audio)
exhilarated; exhilarating

transitive verb

: to make (someone) very happy and excited or elated
was exhilarated by her success
It's a demanding dining experience that may exhaust and exasperate some customers, but exhilarate those who desire a challenge more than comfort.Thomas Matthews
Uncle George tells stories … and exhilarates everybody with his good humour and hospitality.Charles Dickens
When antislavery senator Charles Sumner was honored in a demonstration that exhilarated antebellum Boston, Louisa was there …Madeleine B. Stern
exhilarative adjective

Did you know?

Many people find exhilarate a difficult word to spell. It's easy to forget that silent "h" in there, and is it an "er" or "ar" after the "l"? It may be easier to remember the spelling if you know that exhilarate ultimately derives from the Latin adjective hilarus, meaning "cheerful." (This also explains why the earliest meaning of exhilarate is "to make cheerful.") Exhilarate comes from exhilaratus, the past participle of exhilarare, which is formed by combining ex- and hilarare, a verb that derives from hilarus and means "to cheer or gladden." If hilarus looks familiar, that may be because it's also the source of hilarious and hilarity (as well as hilariously and hilariousness, of course).

Examples of exhilarate in a Sentence

the exhilarating feeling of flying that hang gliding offers the climactic moment of commencement ceremonies usually exhilarates graduates and proud parents alike
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Open seasonally from May to September, the park features exhilarating water slides like the Frantic Atlantic, Pirate’s Passage, and Nature’s Revenge—all ranked by level of thrill. Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 19 Jan. 2025 Rolling around on the Sportsman is exhilarating in 2x4 mode when the roads are flat and easy. Kristin Shaw, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025 This exhilarating Sun-Uranus trine is shaking things up in your professional life, Leo. Valerie Mesa, People.com, 13 Jan. 2025 Newcombe admitted to being exhausted, exhilarated and determined. Cindy Shmerler, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for exhilarate 

Word History

Etymology

Latin exhilaratus, past participle of exhilarare, from ex- + hilarare to gladden, from hilarus cheerful — more at hilarious

First Known Use

1540, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of exhilarate was in 1540

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Dictionary Entries Near exhilarate

Cite this Entry

“Exhilarate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exhilarate. Accessed 28 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

exhilarate

verb
ex·​hil·​a·​rate ig-ˈzil-ə-ˌrāt How to pronounce exhilarate (audio)
exhilarated; exhilarating
: to cause to feel cheerful or lively : put into high spirits
the fresh air exhilarated us
exhilarative adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on exhilarate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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