titillate

verb

tit·​il·​late ˈti-tə-ˌlāt 

titillated; titillating

transitive verb

1

: to excite pleasurably : arouse by stimulation

2

: tickle sense 1

intransitive verb

: to act as a stimulant to pleasurable excitement

titillation

ˌti-tə-ˈlā-shən 

noun

titillative

ˈti-tə-ˌlā-tiv 

adjective

Synonyms

• charge
• electrify
• excite
• exhilarate
• galvanize
• intoxicate
• pump up
• thrill
• turn on

Examples of titillate in a Sentence

a film made to titillate the audience

writing that titillates and provokes

Recent Examples on the Web

And so, if this leads to them helping other people get the same [attention], who maybe aren’t attractive and come from a background that is titillating, fine. —Kate Storey, Rolling Stone, 14 Feb. 2025

Though a great many are loving the titillating update, some were apparently not fans of the post. —Mathew Rodriguez, Them, 16 Jan. 2025

Inventive Indulgences in Chocolate Bonbons In addition to a commitment to quality and sustainability, the chocolates boast delicious and delightfully unexpected flavor profiles to titillate the senses. —Hilary Tetenbaum, USA TODAY, 12 Jan. 2025

While men led the team on the field, women’s role in big-time Baptist college football was to titillate and entertain. —Hunter M. Hampton / Made By History, TIME, 9 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin titillatus, past participle of titillare

First Known Use

1620, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Kids Definition

titillate

verb

tit·​il·​late ˈtit-ᵊl-ˌāt 

titillated; titillating

1

: tickle entry 1 sense 1

2

: to excite pleasurably

titillation

ˌtit-ᵊl-ˈā-shən 

noun