exhilarate

[ig-zil-uh-reyt]

verb (used with object)

exhilarated, exhilarating 

1. to enliven; invigorate; stimulate.

   The cold weather exhilarated the walkers.

   Synonyms: elate, inspirit, animate
   Antonyms: depress

2. to make cheerful or merry.

   Synonyms: gladden, cheer
   Antonyms: depress

exhilarate

/ ɪɡˈzɪləˌreɪt /

verb

1. (tr) to make lively and cheerful; gladden; elate

Other Word Forms

• exhilaratingly adverb
• exhilarator noun
• unexhilarated adjective
• unexhilarating adjective
• exhilarative adjective
• exhilaration noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of exhilarate¹

First recorded in 1530–40; from Latin exhilarātus, past participle of exhilarāre “to gladden,” equivalent to ex- “from, out of, beyond” + hilarāre “to cheer” ( hilarity ); ex- ¹, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of exhilarate¹

C16: from Latin exhilarāre, from hilarāre to cheer; see _hilarious

Example Sentences

Across 18 months they played some exhilarating cricket, shredding bowling attacks.

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In Perth, Ben Stokes' team unleashed their heavy artillery to devastating and exhilarating effect.

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Infuriating and exhilarating, often at the same time.

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On the one hand, it was exhilarating to hear a market insider say what he thought to be true; on the other, if the market became self-aware, its madness couldn’t last long.

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In doing so, he also ignited the Arab Spring, an exhilarating but short-lived popular uprising.

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Related Words

• animate 
• elate 
• exalt 
• excite 
• thrill 
• uplift