exhilarate
gb/ɪɡzˈɪlɚˌeɪt/ us/ɪɡzˈɪlɚˌeɪt/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
Verb
formal
C1
action
1
make someone feel excited
to make someone feel very excited and happy
Usage pattern:
[something] exhilarates [someone]; [someone] is exhilarated by [something]
Common mistake:
Don’t use it for mild happiness; it usually implies strong excitement (often from an activity or experience).
Synonyms
thrill (Often suggests a sudden, intense excitement.)
|
excite (More general and common; can be weaker than exhilarate.)
|
delight (Focuses more on pleasure than on energy or adrenaline.)
Antonyms
bore (Makes someone lose interest instead of feeling excited.)
|
depress (Creates sadness or low mood rather than uplift.)
Collocations
be exhilarated by the experience
|absolutely exhilarated
|exhilarate the crowd
|exhilarate the audience
|exhilarate someone
|find something exhilarating
|exhilarating moment
|exhilarating ride
|exhilarating match
|exhilarating performance
Themes
emotions
|entertainment
|sports
Examples
- The final goal in extra time exhilarated the home fans.
- The steep descent on the roller coaster exhilarated her more than she expected.
- He felt exhilarated by the challenge of starting a new job.
Learner examples
- The trip exhilarated me.
- I was exhilarated by the news.
Verb
formal
C1
action
2
make someone feel energized
to give someone energy and make them feel fresh
Usage pattern:
[something] exhilarates [someone]
Common mistake:
This sense is close to 'invigorate' and is less common than the excitement sense; it usually describes a noticeable boost in energy.
Synonyms
invigorate (Emphasizes renewed strength or energy.)
|
energize (More everyday; focuses on giving energy.)
|
refresh (Highlights feeling rested or mentally renewed.)
Antonyms
tire (Reduces energy rather than increasing it.)
|
exhaust (Leaves someone with no energy at all.)
Collocations
exhilarate and refresh
|exhilarate the mind
|exhilarate the body
|exhilarating fresh air
|exhilarating breeze
|exhilarating swim
|exhilarating walk
|exhilarating workout
|exhilarated by the fresh air
|feel exhilarated after
Themes
health
|emotions
|daily_life
Examples
- A brisk walk in the cold air exhilarated him and cleared his head.
- The sea breeze exhilarated us after the long drive.
- She felt exhilarated after an early morning swim.
Learner examples
- Fresh air exhilarates me.
- I feel exhilarated after I run.
Grammar
Dictionary form
exhilarate
IPA
GB/ɪɡzˈɪlɚˌeɪt/
US/ɪɡzˈɪlɚˌeɪt/
Syllables & stress
ex - hil - ar - ate (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (hil)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: exhilarate
- 3rd Person Singular: exhilarates
- Present Participle: exhilarating
- Past: exhilarated
Word family
Forms
Core family
exhilaration
noun C1
Related words
hilarious
adjective B1
hilarity
noun
Advanced or less common
exhilaratingly
adverb
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.