exaltation

Noun formal C1 state

1

a feeling of intense joy

A very strong feeling of great joy and happiness, sometimes with a high or spiritual feeling.

Usage pattern: a feeling of exaltation at [something]

Common mistake:

Learners sometimes confuse "exaltation" with the similar-looking word "exaggeration" (making something seem bigger than it is). Another common confusion is between "exaltation" and "exultation"; both relate to joy, but "exultation" usually focuses more on the outward expression of joy, while "exaltation" can be a more inward, often spiritual or elevated feeling.

Synonyms

elation (Very close in meaning, but slightly more common and less formal than "exaltation.") | ecstasy (Suggests an even more overwhelming, almost uncontrolled joy than "exaltation.") | rapture (Often emphasizes being completely carried away by emotion, sometimes in a spiritual context.) | euphoria (Often used in everyday or medical contexts, not necessarily spiritual or artistic.)

Antonyms

misery (General state of great unhappiness, the emotional opposite of exaltation.) | depression (A persistent low mood, sometimes clinical, contrasting with the high mood of exaltation.)

Collocations

Themes

emotions |art |religion

Examples

As the choir reached the final note, a strange exaltation swept through the audience.
She described the birth of her child as a moment of pure exaltation.
The runners crossed the finish line in a state of wild exaltation.
For a brief second, standing on the mountain peak, he felt an exaltation he could not put into words.
The novel captures the exaltation artists feel when their work finally comes alive.

Learner examples

He felt a deep exaltation when he heard the good news.
The music filled her with exaltation and hope.
Winning the prize brought the team great exaltation.
She spoke with exaltation about her time abroad.
There was a look of exaltation on his face after the performance.

Noun formal C1 action

2

raising someone to high rank

The act of lifting a person or thing to a very high position of power, honor, or importance.

Usage pattern: the exaltation of [someone/something] to [a position]

Common mistake:

Learners sometimes use the verb form incorrectly, saying *"exaltation someone"* instead of using the noun in a structure like "the exaltation of someone" or using the verb "to exalt" (e.g., "to exalt someone").

Synonyms

elevation (Very close in meaning, commonly used for promotions or raising status; slightly less emotional than "exaltation.") | promotion (Usually used in work or official contexts and may sound more practical than the grander "exaltation.") | aggrandizement (Often suggests an exaggerated or self-serving increase in power or importance.)

Antonyms

demotion (The opposite action of reducing someone's rank or position instead of raising it.) | humbling (Bringing someone down to a lower or more modest status, the opposite of lifting them up in honor.)

Collocations

Themes

society |politics |religion |work

Examples

The play explores the sudden exaltation of an ordinary worker to the position of national hero.
Many critics warned that the exaltation of a single leader could become dangerous for democracy.
His rapid exaltation to the board of directors surprised even his closest colleagues.
The novel charts her rise from poverty to the exaltation of social and political power.
Some historians see the exaltation of the military as a turning point in that society.

Learner examples

His exaltation to king shocked the people.
The film shows the exaltation of one man above the rest.
Some worry about the exaltation of money in modern life.
The story tells of her exaltation from servant to queen.
The exaltation of one group can lead to the unfair treatment of others.

Noun formal C2 action

3

religious glorifying or honoring

Very great honor and praise given to God or a holy person, especially in religion.

Usage pattern: the exaltation of [God/someone holy]

Common mistake:

Learners may not realize this meaning is mostly used in religious or theological contexts and may sound strange in everyday conversation.

Synonyms

glorification (Very close in meaning, especially in religious writing, and often interchangeable with "exaltation" in this context.) | veneration (Stresses deep respect and honor, especially for saints or holy objects, sometimes with less emphasis on praise in words.) | worship (Broader term for religious devotion and praise, including prayer and ritual, not only honor in words.)

Antonyms

profanation (Treating something holy as not special or as common, the opposite of giving it exalted honor.) | blasphemy (Speaking offensively about God or holy things, strongly opposed to religious exaltation.)

Collocations

Themes

religion |ritual

Examples

The hymn is a powerful exaltation of God's mercy and justice.
In his sermon, the priest spoke of the exaltation of the humble through divine grace.
The festival centers on the exaltation of the Holy Cross in the church's tradition.
Medieval art often served as a visual exaltation of the saints.
Their chants rose in a shared exaltation of the divine name.

Learner examples

The prayer is an exaltation of God.
This song is an exaltation of Christ's love.
The church holds a service for the exaltation of the Holy Cross.
Religious art can be an exaltation of holy people.
The book is about the exaltation of simple faith.

Noun technical C2 state

4

abnormally elevated mood (medical)

In medical and mental health language, a very high and excited mood that is not normal and often appears in some mental illnesses.

Usage pattern: a state of [manic] exaltation

Common mistake:

Learners may assume this technical sense is simply strong happiness, but in medical contexts it refers to an abnormal mood, not just ordinary joy.

Synonyms

euphoria (Commonly used in clinical contexts to describe an unusually high mood; often overlaps with this sense of exaltation.) | mania (Stronger term for a severe state with very high energy and risky behavior; exaltation can be one feature of mania.)

Antonyms

depression (Clinical low mood, the opposite pole from the high mood of exaltation in mood disorders.) | dysphoria (A state of unease or dissatisfaction, opposing the overly positive mood of exaltation.)

Collocations

Themes

medicine |psychology |health |emotions

Examples

The patient presented with rapid speech and marked exaltation of mood.
Brief episodes of exaltation were followed by long periods of deep sadness.
In some cases, exaltation may signal the beginning of a manic phase.
Her diary entries show cycles of despair and exaltation typical of bipolar disorder.
Clinicians noted that his exaltation bordered on irritability and grandiosity.

Learner examples

The doctor wrote that the man had a period of exaltation.
In this illness, low mood and exaltation can both appear.
Exaltation of mood can be a sign of mania.
The nurse saw that his exaltation was not normal happiness.
The report said her exaltation lasted several days.

Noun technical C2 relation

5

favored zodiac position of planet

In astrology, the sign of the zodiac where a planet is thought to have its best and strongest power.

Usage pattern: the exaltation of [planet] in [sign]

Common mistake:

Learners who meet this word first in everyday English may not realize it has this very specific technical meaning in astrology.

Synonyms

dignity (Technical astrological term for favorable positions of a planet; exaltation is one specific type of dignity.)

Antonyms

fall (In astrology, the sign in which a planet is considered weakest, the opposite of its exaltation.)

Collocations

Themes

astrology |esoterica |religion

Examples

In traditional astrology, the exaltation of the Sun is in Aries.
The chart places Venus in its exaltation, suggesting strong benefits in relationships.
Each planet has a sign of rulership and a different sign of exaltation.
Some modern astrologers question the classical system of planetary exaltation.
Her teacher asked her to memorize the exaltation of each visible planet.

Learner examples

In this book, you can see the exaltation of each planet.
They say the exaltation of Jupiter brings good luck.
The chart shows Mars in its exaltation sign.
Students must learn the fall and exaltation of every planet.
He studies planetary exaltation in traditional astrology.

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a feeling of intense joy

raising someone to high rank

religious glorifying or honoring

abnormally elevated mood (medical)

favored zodiac position of planet

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