exaltation

American  

[eg-zawl-tey-shuhn, ek-sawl-] / ˌɛg zɔlˈteɪ ʃən, ˌɛk sɔl- /

noun

1. the act of exalting.

2. the state of being exalted.

3. elation of mind or feeling, sometimes abnormal or morbid in character; rapture: euphoric exaltation.

   mystical exaltation;

   euphoric exaltation.

   Synonyms:

   euphoria, transport, exultation

4. Chiefly British. a flight of larks.

5. Astrology. the sign of the zodiac in which the most positive influence of a planet is expressed (fall ).

6. Chemistry. (formerly) the process of subliming.

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exaltation British  

/ ˌɛɡzɔːlˈteɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of exalting or state of being exalted

2. a feeling of intense well-being or exhilaration; elation; rapture

3. a flock of larks

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Related Words

See ecstasy.

Other Word Forms

• hyperexaltation noun
• self-exaltation noun
• superexaltation noun

Etymology

Origin of exaltation

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English exaltacioun, from Latin exaltātiōn- (stem of exaltātiō ). See exalt, -ation

Explanation

If the Prize Patrol showed up at your door with a check for a million dollars, you'd probably be overcome with a feeling of exaltation or overwhelming happiness. Chances are slim, so don't bank on it. Exaltation comes from the Latin exaltare meaning to "raise aloft." When you're in a state of exaltation, your emotions are raised aloft and you're swept away in happiness. Exaltation is also the term for praising someone really highly or raising someone in rank, and for a group of larks, and in astrology, the place in a planet's orbit of maximum influence. Fly an exaltation of larks above the ceremony of your exaltation to Minister of Vocabulary.

Example Sentences

Yet the collective spirit of the event — an exaltation of the feminine in its many expressions — felt authentic to Uchis’ work as an artist.

From Los Angeles Times • May 14, 2025

The true legacy of Annie is this exaltation of perseverance in the face of being persistently wronged, putting the responsibility for repairing harm in the hands of the vulnerable.

From Slate • Aug. 17, 2024

But there was nothing robotic about the onstage revelry that spilled into the crowd and continued with “Alien Superstar” — an exaltation of individuality with nods to ball culture that had Beyoncé oozing extraterrestrial swag.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 15, 2023

Francis, by contrast, saw its origins in the exaltation of authority and abuse of power in the church hierarchy.

From New York Times • Dec. 31, 2022

You want the race, the exaltation, the joy and beauty of it to go on and on.…

From "Woodsong" by Gary Paulsen

Related Words

• rapture