exultation

[eg-zuhl-tey-shuh n, ek-suhl-]

See more synonyms for exultation on Thesaurus.com

noun

the act of exulting; lively or triumphant joy, as over success or victory.

Also ex·ult·an·cy

[ig-zuhl-tn-see] /ɪgˈzʌl tn si/, ex·ult·ance.

Origin of exultation

1375–1425; late Middle English < Latin ex(s)ultātiōn- (stem of ex(s)ultātiō), equivalent to ex(s)ultāt(us) (past participle of ex(s)ultāre to exult) + -iōn- -ion

Related formsnon·ex·ul·ta·tion, nounself-ex·ul·ta·tion, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for exultation

elation, merriment, glory, rejoicing, joy, glee, jubilance, transport, satisfaction, jubilation, delight, happiness, triumph, crowing, gloating

Examples from the Web for exultation

Contemporary Examples of exultation

He remembered his exultation as the two brothers walked together among bluebells.
The Odd Story of C.S. Lewis, an Extremely Odd Man
A.N. Wilson
March 10, 2013
There are moments of exultation and frustration, of nail-biting anxiety, and the normal banter that characterizes any workplace.
JFK’s Secret White House Recordings Unveiled
Ted Widmer
September 25, 2012
No great roars of joy or exultation sounded off up and down the Mall.
No More Mr. Eloquent
Simon Schama
January 20, 2009

Historical Examples of exultation

A note of exultation in his laugh, like that in a blackbird's call, alone proclaimed it.
Viviette
William J. Locke
Into his voice came a tone of exultation indescribably ghastly.
Within the Law
Marvin Dana
Concerning Linda she could not resist a feeling of exultation.
Her Father's Daughter
Gene Stratton-Porter
She had gone home with a feeling of uplift and exultation in her heart.
Her Father's Daughter
Gene Stratton-Porter
Mr Plornish could not conceal his exultation in her accomplishments as a linguist.
Little Dorrit
Charles Dickens

Word Origin and History for exultation

early 15c., from Old French exultacion, from Latin exultationem/exsultationem, noun of action from past participle stem of exultare/exsultare, frequentative of exsilire "leap out or up" (see exult). Notion is of leaping or dancing for joy. An Old English word for it was heahbliss "high bliss."