adrenaline rush

American  

[uh-dren-l-in ruhsh] / əˈdrɛn l ɪn ˌrʌʃ /

noun

1. a sudden, intense feeling of exhilaration or excitement caused by or as if by a surge of adrenaline.

   It's the adrenaline rush and the intensity of the competition that I most look forward to.

   These folks eat, breathe, and sleep roller coasters and can never get enough of an adrenaline rush.

---

Etymology

Origin of adrenaline rush

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

adrenaline rush

The butterflies never go away, Dalton said, and an adrenaline rush right before a physically demanding stunt is inevitable.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2026

"In the end, everything worked out. Everyone went down in a single file, everyone helping, and we managed to finish the trail, see the sunrise, and experience that adrenaline rush," Nobre told the paper.

From BBC ● Apr. 20, 2026

Novak Djokovic said Saturday he still gets a "drug-like" adrenaline rush from tennis and is not thinking about retiring anytime soon.

From Barron's ● Jan. 17, 2026

View that as a parable if you wish, or simply enjoy the adrenaline rush.

From Salon ● Dec. 19, 2025

For years, I’d imagined the camaraderie of team practice, the adrenaline rush of competition, and maybe even being noticed on campus as one of the school’s athletic stars.

From "Courage to Soar" by Simone Biles