exaltation

American  

[eg-zawl-tay-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 (opposed to 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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Synonym Usage

See ecstasy.

Other Word Forms

• hyperexaltation
  noun
• self-exaltation
  noun
• superexaltation
  noun

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Etymology

Origin of exaltation

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

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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

See Examples For:

exaltation

These dangers are particularly obvious to academics and other intellectual elites: They include fascism, nativism, anti-intellectualism, persecution of unpopular minorities, exaltation of the mediocre, and romantic exaggeration of the wisdom and virtue of the masses.

From Salon ● Aug. 19, 2025

But Timur’s live performance added another otherworldly level of exaltation for which neither film nor deafening amplification can enhance.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 22, 2024

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

For perhaps five seconds exaltation made him careless, and he stepped out onto the pavement without so much as a preliminary glance through the window.

From "1984" by George Orwell

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Related Words

• rapture

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