exhilarating

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'exhilarating' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe something that is exciting, invigorating, or stimulating. For example: "The roller coaster ride was exhilarating."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Travel

Film

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It is exhilarating".

The New York Times

It was strangely exhilarating to see Ed Miliband with at least three parties politically to his left, the Scottish and Welsh Nationalists and the Greens, with even Nick Clegg somewhat shamelessly rediscovering the leftish Lib Dem principles he largely betrayed for his five years in office with the Tories.

The Guardian

But it was exhilarating to watch kids hopping over metro barriers, smoking weed and shouting, walking wherever they wanted, disobeying every single one of the tight rules that normally control access to the station.

The Guardian

Madrid were not awful by any means, and they had chances in a game that was fast and exhilarating, that wore you out just watching it, but they did complete fewer passes than in any other match.

The Guardian - Sport

The Oscars showered on Mendes's stylish and exhilarating film are none the less a heartening riposte to dumbing-down and juvenilisation in commercial American cinema.

The Guardian

Fernando, a 30-year-old aerospace engineer who was dressed as The Flash, said: It was exhilarating, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

The Guardian - Sport

He was the soloist on Mozart's Violin Concerto No 4, which combined technical precision and a breezy sweetness to exhilarating effect, with Barenboim playing the hire-wire act with two vertiginous solos.

The Guardian

The exhilarating boat trip, lasting 36 hours, took me across the notoriously stormy Straits of Magellan, through the glacier-lined Beagle Channel, and to places where Darwin had concluded that life barely existed at all.

The Guardian - Travel

"It is exciting to me that these two books that came through that experimental prize, are by us, are by women," says Smith. "On Tuesday night we [the Baileys shortlisted authors] all read at the Royal Festival Hall, and the range, the versatility, was exhilarating.

The Guardian - Books

It's an intriguing and exhilarating film, which like Birdman uses the jittery, hyperactive quality of a drum solo to incite nervous excitement.

The Guardian - Film

Tall buildings well sited can be exhilarating.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for a more subdued tone, consider alternatives like "stimulating" or "invigorating" which still suggest positive energy without the intensity of "exhilarating".

Common error

While "exhilarating" is a strong and positive adjective, overuse in formal or academic writing can diminish its impact. Consider alternatives like "stimulating" or "interesting" to maintain a professional tone while conveying enthusiasm.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "exhilarating" primarily functions as a descriptive word, modifying nouns to convey a sense of excitement, invigoration, and thrill. Ludwig AI confirms that this usage is grammatically correct and widely accepted. Examples show it describing experiences, events, and even emotional states.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Sport

13%

Travel

10%

Less common in

Film

8%

Books

8%

Science

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "exhilarating" is a versatile adjective used to describe experiences and activities that evoke excitement and energy. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. While very common and broadly accepted, writers should consider the context and audience when choosing this word, especially in formal settings where alternatives like "stimulating" or "invigorating" might be more appropriate. The prevalence of "exhilarating" in news, sports, and travel writing highlights its effectiveness in conveying a sense of thrill and positive emotion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

invigorating

Focuses more on the energizing aspect, less on the excitement.

thrilling

Emphasizes the excitement and suspense more intensely.

stimulating

Highlights the activating or encouraging aspect.

exciting

A more general term for something that causes enthusiasm and eagerness.

invigorating experience

Specifies that the feeling is related to the experience, not a characterization.

bracing

Suggests a refreshing and energizing effect, often related to weather or an atmosphere.

elating

Focuses on the uplifting and joyful effect.

rousing

Emphasizes the effect of stirring up enthusiasm or excitement.

uplifting

Highlights the positive and cheerful aspect, often in a moral or emotional sense.

heart-stirring

More poetic and emotive, suggesting a profound emotional impact.

FAQs

How can I use "exhilarating" in a sentence?

You can use "exhilarating" to describe something that is exciting, invigorating, or thrilling. For example, "The roller coaster ride was "exhilarating"."

What words are similar to "exhilarating"?

Synonyms for "exhilarating" include "invigorating", "thrilling", "stimulating", and "exciting". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "exhilarating" in formal writing?

While "exhilarating" is generally acceptable, it may be perceived as too informal for certain academic or professional contexts. Consider using alternatives like "stimulating" or "remarkable" for a more formal tone.

What is the difference between "exhilarating" and "exciting"?

"Exciting" is a more general term for something that causes enthusiasm. "Exhilarating" implies a more intense feeling of invigoration and thrill, often associated with a physical or emotional rush. "The adventure was "exciting"", while "the skydiving experience was "exhilarating"".