exhilaration

noun

ex·​hil·​a·​ra·​tion ig-ˌzi-lə-ˈrā-shən 

1

: the action of exhilarating

2

: the feeling or the state of being exhilarated

Synonyms

• bang
• boot
• charge
• frisson
• jollies
• kick
• rush
• thrill
• titillation
• wallop

Examples of exhilaration in a Sentence

I felt a kind of exhilaration when I reached the top of the mountain.

the lavish spectacle results in one exhilaration after another

Recent Examples on the Web

Not even the endless crowing about this daredevil feat in the marketing campaign leading up to the Cannes Film Festival premiere (and the movie’s release on May 23rd) can suck the exhilaration and sense of awe of watching this extended jaunt through the wild blue yonder. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 15 May 2025

The point was not to relive the exhilaration of a sterling 31-11 run. —Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 15 May 2025

This new musical captures the exhilaration of the ballroom scene and the profound power of faith, with a score that soars from the transcendence of gospel to the liberating vibrations of house music. —Greg Evans, Deadline, 7 May 2025

Beyond the exhilaration of taking a mature Eastern gobbler in handsome new country, the experience was an education in using trail cameras as an essential scouting and decision-making tool. —Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 1 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1622, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for exhilaration

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

Kids Definition

exhilaration

noun

ex·​hil·​a·​ra·​tion ig-ˌzil-ə-ˈrā-shən 

1

: the action of exhilarating

2

: the state or the feeling of being exhilarated : high spirits