exhilarated

USAGE SUMMARY

"exhilarated" is a perfectly correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to express an intense feeling of joy or excitement. For example, "After months of hard work, I was absolutely exhilarated when I completed my degree."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

For the rest of that day and all the next, we were on Essex country lanes, picking up speed over rolling hills, exhilarated to have escaped the city under our own steam.

The Guardian - Travel

I loved the vast richness of his canvas from an Italian monastery to the deserts of North Africa, the weaving of the politics of war with the power play of passion, all exhilarated with the thirst for exploration and adventure.

The Guardian

Standing outside the party's Rochester office, it was impossible not to be exhilarated by the general air of fun and mucking-in.

The Economist

Although few will resist the temptation to keep turning the pages, readers will close this monumental work exhilarated and informed, but with plenty of questions still unanswered.

The Economist

Worn down by all the Westminster talk of hardship and cuts, Bagehot felt exhilarated by the sight of them.

The Economist

For all the fear, Mr Mack seems to have been exhilarated by the experience of battling to save his firm.The book has flaws.

The Economist

With the sound-system blaring out "Let the sun shine in", the governor declared with typical chutzpah: "I recognise we need more bipartisan co-operation to make it happen".The Democrats, exhilarated by their success, may well be tempted to give Mr Schwarzenegger the cold shoulder.

The Economist

He exhilarated and exhausted himself.

The Economist

One feels insecure in a low cave or a narrow defile, exhilarated and powerful on a hilltop; these are psychological and motor reactions that result from measuring one's potential for movement against the surrounding spaces, and the same reactions take root even in language ("confining" circumstances and "elevating" experiences are spoken of).

Encyclopedia Britannica

One moment she had been speeding down the runway at 200 mph, living her dream, exhilarated by the thrill of the action she had waited for so long to experience, actually driving the car for the first time, then suddenly she had the accident at such low speed when any moments of danger should have been far behind her.

Independent

Not since Mike Bartlett's Cock, so to speak, have I been so exhilarated by a new play premiered at the Royal Court's Theatre Upstairs.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "exhilarated" to describe a feeling of intense happiness or excitement, often triggered by a specific event or achievement. Ensure the context aligns with the strong positive emotion the word conveys.

Common error

Avoid using "exhilarated" to describe mild happiness or satisfaction. The word implies a powerful emotional response, so reserve it for situations where the joy or excitement is truly significant.

Linguistic Context

The term "exhilarated" primarily functions as a past participle adjective, describing a state of feeling intensely happy or excited. Ludwig provides numerous examples where "exhilarated" modifies nouns to express this emotional state, such as "exhilarated by the thrill of the action" or "felt so "exhilarated"".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Encyclopedias

6%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "exhilarated" is a past participle adjective used to express a strong feeling of joy and excitement. Ludwig AI confirms that it follows standard grammar rules and is appropriate for use in various contexts. While versatile, its register leans toward neutral to formal, making it suitable for both news media and academic writing. It is very common, particularly in news and media sources. When choosing alternatives, consider synonyms like "thrilled" or "elated depending on the desired nuance".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

thrilled

Conveys a strong feeling of excitement and pleasure, often in response to a specific event or achievement. "Thrilled" can sometimes suggest a more sudden burst of excitement than "exhilarated".

elated

Suggests a feeling of great happiness and triumph, often associated with success or good fortune. "Elated" emphasizes a sense of upliftment and joy.

jubilant

Expresses great joy, triumph, and celebration, often in a public or communal setting. "Jubilant" is more outwardly expressive than "exhilarated".

delighted

Conveys a sense of pleasure and satisfaction, often in a more mild or understated way than "exhilarated".

exultant

Expresses triumphant joy, often after overcoming a challenge or achieving a victory. "Exultant" emphasizes a feeling of triumph and pride.

enlivened

Suggests a feeling of being invigorated and energized, often by an experience or event. "Enlivened" focuses on the revitalization aspect.

invigorated

Conveys a feeling of being energized and refreshed, often physically or mentally. "Invigorated" highlights the renewal of strength and vitality.

stimulated

Suggests a feeling of being excited and engaged, often intellectually or creatively. "Stimulated" emphasizes the arousal of interest and activity.

charged up

Describes a feeling of being full of energy and enthusiasm, ready for action. "Charged up" is more informal and emphasizes readiness.

animated

Conveys a sense of being lively and enthusiastic, full of life and energy. "Animated" emphasizes the outward expression of liveliness.

FAQs

How can I use "exhilarated" in a sentence?

You can use "exhilarated" to describe a feeling of intense joy or excitement. For example, "She felt "exhilarated" after completing the marathon", or "He was "exhilarated" by the stunning view from the mountaintop".

What are some synonyms for "exhilarated"?

Some synonyms for "exhilarated" include "thrilled", "elated", "jubilant", and "delighted depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey".

What's the difference between "exhilarated" and "excited"?

"Exhilarated" suggests a higher degree of joy and excitement than "excited". While "excited" can describe anticipation or mild enthusiasm, "exhilarated" implies a feeling of intense happiness, vigor and upliftment. If you are "excited about" a movie, you are probably "exhilarated" to win the lottery.

Is it correct to say "I am exhilarating"?

No, "I am exhilarating" is grammatically incorrect if you intend to describe your own feeling. The correct usage would be "I am exhilarated", indicating that you are experiencing exhilaration. "Exhilarating" would describe something that causes exhilaration, for instance "The roller coaster was exhilarating".