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

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

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

For those of us who have spent decades railing at, and occasionally even trying to redress, the imbalance, these should be exhilarating times.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“The Impossible Fortune,” like its series predecessors, is an exhilarating work.

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If more users could engage with LLMs in deeper and more meaningful ways, maybe AI would feel as exhilarating as I know it can be.

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There is something peculiarly exhilarating about taking up an activity you are not naturally good at.

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"Queuing up is exciting and exhilarating - the build up of walking in, and thinking 'I'm finally here,'" Christina tells me.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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