Definitions

exhilaration

[ig-zil-uh-rey-shuhn] / ɪgˌzɪl əˈreɪ ʃən /

NOUN

great happiness, excitement

Synonyms

STRONGEST

elation euphoria high spirits hilarity joy

STRONG

animation cheerfulness delight electrification elevation exaltation excitation firing gaiety galvanization gladness gleefulness inspiration invigoration joyfulness liveliness mirth quickening sprightliness stimulation uplift vitalization vivacity vivification

WEAK

a rush enlivenment head rush

Antonyms

STRONGEST

depression sadness sorrow unhappiness woe

STRONG

discouragement misery

WEAK

agitation upset worry

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

This exhilaration isn’t far from where it was just before the dot.com bubble popped in 2000.

From Barron's • Jun. 10, 2026

Does the olfactory exhilaration also enhance play-calling, amplifying one’s grasp of X’s and O’s?

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 12, 2026

I fell into the same rhythm: starting over, drenched in sweat, sheer exhilaration, “sign me up.”

From Salon • Jan. 1, 2026

You can imagine the exhilaration of merging onto a freeway.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 12, 2025

Mrs. Coulter felt a calm exhilaration as she spoke.

From "The Amber Spyglass" by Philip Pullman

Vocabulary lists containing exhilaration

Lord of the Flies

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Words inspired by "Inside Out"

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The Pearl

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!