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exhilaration

exhilaration

17 5.8
A strong, happy feeling of excitement
  • noun
  • /ɪɡˌzɪləˈreɪʃən/
translation icon : euforia
  • Brad, have you wondered what it's like to feel the total exhilaration of really flying?
  • sheer exhilaration
  • sense of exhilaration
  • great exhilaration

I feel, I don't think I've felt that feeling of joy, exhilaration, pride.

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Examples

  • There was a general air of relief and exhilaration on the way back down the footpath.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • And with that exhilaration comes a really deep sense of responsibility.

  • Perhaps, too, he found himself swept up in the exhilaration of a great moment.

    Academic text (1992)
  • But now, in some distant part of him, he felt the exhilaration of being saved.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • We were all feeling the same fears and the same exhilaration.

  • Within ten minutes, my fears were gone, and exhilaration had captured me.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • The anticipation, the energy, the exhilaration of once again being on the cusp of a brighter day.

  • The Ranger, the Redcoats, and even Heyward feel the exhilaration of the ride.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • Crossing a bare common, in snow puddles, at twilight, under a clouded sky, without having in my thoughts any occurrence of a special good fortune, I have enjoyed a perfect exhilaration.

  • After winning the championship, the team felt an overwhelming sense of exhilaration as they celebrated together.

Synonyms

joy
vsexhilaration
793 1.0

A strong feeling of great happiness

is livelier and more excited than simple happiness or pleasure
excitement
vsexhilaration
434 1.0

A strong feeling of happiness and eagerness, or something that causes it

focuses more on lively happy energy than general eagerness
enthusiasm
vsexhilaration
288 2.2

A strong feeling of excitement and interest in something

is more about lively happy feeling itself than interest or approval
delight
vsexhilaration
184 1.2

A thing or feeling that gives great pleasure

is more about lively, active excitement than quiet pleasure
ecstasy
vsexhilaration
57 6.1

A feeling of very great joy and excitement

is energetic happiness but generally less engulfing or overwhelming
euphoria
vsexhilaration
45 6.8

A very strong feeling of happiness and excitement

is lively and happy but usually less intense or irrational
exuberance
vsexhilaration
27 6.7

A feeling of strong, happy energy and excitement

puts more stress on lively happiness rather than sustained energy
elation
vsexhilaration
18 5.5

A very happy and excited feeling after a big success

leans more to lively upbeat excitement rather than prideful joy
jubilation
vsexhilaration
11 5.2

A strong feeling of happiness and excitement during a celebration

is lively happiness but not tied specifically to public celebration
gladness
vsexhilaration
9 1.0

A feeling of being happy and pleased

is more animated and excited than calm pleasure or contentment
exultation
vsexhilaration
  • Formal
3 7.9

A strong feeling of great joy often shown by loud shouts

is lively happiness but less about winning or triumph
exaltation
vsexhilaration
2 7.6

A feeling of great happiness and strong emotion

is cheerful and lively but usually less lofty or intense
ebullience
vsexhilaration
1 8.5

A feeling of cheerful, lively energy that people show

is similar but highlights lively happy feeling rather than constant bubbling energy
joyfulness
vsexhilaration
1 2.0

A strong feeling of happiness and excitement

is more about lively excitement rather than steady joyful quality
state of excitement
vsexhilaration
1 3.1

A strong feeling of joy and energy that makes you unable to sit still

is similar yet focuses more on lively happy pleasure than arousal
rush of energy
vsexhilaration
1 4.1

A sudden strong feeling that makes you active and excited

is more about ongoing lively happiness than a brief sudden surge
palpable excitement
vsexhilaration
1 4.6

A strong feeling of eager energy you can almost feel

is lively and happy but not necessarily physically overwhelming
jubilance
vsexhilaration
1 6.5

A strong feeling of great joy that people show openly

is similar but emphasizes lively upbeat excitement rather than plain joy
joyousness
vsexhilaration
1 3.0

A strong feeling of great happiness

adds a sense of energetic excitement missing from plain joy
jubilancy
vsexhilaration
8.1

A strong feeling of great joy after success

is energetic happiness but less focused on triumph
gleefulness
vsexhilaration
3.5

A strong feeling of happy excitement that makes you smile

is lively and excited but not necessarily merry or playful
complete and utter joy
vsexhilaration
2.8

A very strong feeling of deep happiness

is lively happiness but usually less absolute or overwhelming

Antonyms

85 1.3

A feeling of being tired and restless when you have nothing to do

depression
  • Specialized
61 3.7

A long lasting medical illness of deep sadness that needs treatment by a doctor

How Excited

euphoria
45 6.8
elation
18 5.5
exhilaration
17 5.8
excitement
434 1.0
happiness
970 1.0
contentment
26 2.1
calmness
9 2.7

Surface Forms

exhilaration singular
exhilarations plural

Morphology

exhilaration = exhilarate (transparent) = exhilarate + ion

The noun is a regular nominalization of the verb 'exhilarate' with '-ion', so the meaning is directly derived from the verb.

Etymology

Exhilaration comes from Latin parts ex- ('out') and hilaris ('cheerful') and is related to the English word hilarious, so exhilaration is like cheerfulness 'coming out' as a strong, lively feeling of happiness.