Synonyms of excite

excite

verb

ik-ˈsīt 

1

as in to thrill

to cause a pleasurable stimulation of the feelings

for some reason the first snowfall of the season never fails to excite us

Synonyms & Similar Words

• thrill
• electrify
• delight
• inspire
• titillate
• galvanize
• arouse
• intoxicate
• intrigue
• exhilarate
• stimulate
• provoke
• enchant
• turn on
• incite
• captivate
• pump up
• charge
• interest
• mesmerize
• enthrall
• hypnotize
• tantalize
• bewitch
• rivet
• charm
• spellbind

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• bore
• weary
• pall
• discourage
• tire
• dishearten
• demoralize
• jade
• dispirit
• deject

2

as in to provoke

to rouse to strong feeling or action

televised pictures of the victims of the famine that would excite any viewer to pity

Synonyms & Similar Words

• provoke
• encourage
• stimulate
• arouse
• inspire
• stir
• motivate
• incite
• spark
• induce
• pique
• instigate
• move
• motive
• rev (up)
• fire (up)
• impassion
• trigger
• ignite
• drive
• energize
• inflame
• galvanize
• activate
• anger
• bother
• enrage
• quicken
• vitalize
• animate
• kindle
• build a fire under
• foment
• fan
• set off
• irritate
• annoy
• upset
• exasperate
• key (up)
• tease
• aggravate
• taunt
• abet
• ferment
• vex
• whip (up)
• raise
• jeer
• pump up
• get
• madden
• gall

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• calm
• soothe
• subdue
• appease
• placate
• pacify
• tranquilize
• mollify

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb excite contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of excite are pique, provoke, quicken, and stimulate. While all these words mean "to arouse as if by pricking," excite implies a stirring up or moving profoundly.

news that excited anger and frustration

When might pique be a better fit than excite?

Although the words pique and excite have much in common, pique suggests stimulating by mild irritation or challenge.

that remark piqued my interest

Where would provoke be a reasonable alternative to excite?

The meanings of provoke and excite largely overlap; however, provoke directs attention to the response called forth.

my stories usually provoke laughter

In what contexts can quicken take the place of excite?

The synonyms quicken and excite are sometimes interchangeable, but quicken implies beneficially stimulating and making active or lively.

the high salary quickened her desire to have the job

When is stimulate a more appropriate choice than excite?

The words stimulate and excite are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, stimulate suggests a rousing out of lethargy, quiescence, or indifference.

stimulating conversation

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of excite

Green auroras, the most common type, form when energetic particles excite oxygen atoms about 60 to 150 miles (100 to 250 km) above Earth. —Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 26 May 2026

The announcement last Tuesday, during the second day of early voting and one week before Election Day, shocked Republican Senators and excited the President's MAGA voters in Texas. —Jack Fink, CBS News, 24 May 2026

Alonso takes this opportunity to shake things up — albeit in a rigorously subtle fashion that will excite his experimentally-minded followers. —Guy Lodge, Variety, 22 May 2026

Advertisement What excited you about playing Abraham Lincoln in Lincoln in the Bardo, the upcoming part-live-action, part-stop-motion film based on the George Saunders novel? —Katie Sanders, Time, 22 May 2026