thrill 1 of 2

noun

Definition of thrillnext
as in kick
a pleasurably intense stimulation of the feelings everyone gets a real thrill out of the Independence Day fireworks

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

thrill

2 of 2

verb

ˈthril How to pronounce thrill (audio)
as in to excite
to cause a pleasurable stimulation of the feelings of I was thrilled to hear that you got the promotion that you'd been so desperately wanting

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of thrill
Noun
The joys and thrill of the FIFA World Cup may have come to a close last month, but the passion and camaraderie developed through soccer don’t have to end. — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 7 Aug. 2026 Travelers also have their pick of embarkation ports, from the convenience of departures from New York City to the thrill of sailings from historic San Juan, Puerto Rico, or the friendly Texas welcome of a Galveston embarkation. — Scott Laird, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Aug. 2026
Verb
Few contemporary A-list actors give better scared face than her, and as with her psychologically fraught pop star in Mother Mary, there’s a physicality to her action-mom turn here that’s thrilling to watch. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 12 Aug. 2026 The animation is more than just impressive, the songs — including a gem from the Backstreet Boys — are terrific and the action sequences are exciting and thrilling to behold. — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for thrill
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thrill
  1. kick
  2. excite
  3. exhilaration
  4. delight
  5. electrify
Noun
  • Mason Mount went off injured in the first half yesterday, a substitution Carrick said was precautionary after a kick.
    — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Smack made kicks from 33, 35, 38, 43, 45 and 47 yards and missed wide left from 51.
    — Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of kick
Verb
  • Newcomer Bazoumana Toure has also excited with his pace and crossing ability, so may force his way in on the left.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Ask what excites them, share your vision, and choose one clear next step together.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of excite
Noun
  • There is another helm aft, which allows sailors to enjoy the exhilaration of the windward hull.
    — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 16 July 2026
  • The games are known for the exhilaration of the first-person shootouts, organic open-world playgrounds, unique stories, and memorable antagonists.
    — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 14 July 2026
Definition of exhilaration
Verb
  • There are dance sequences to come, and delight to be had as their own kids demonstrate the same ferocious capacity for imaginative play in later years.
    — Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Jackie and her mate, Shadow, delighted millions of viewers who watched an ongoing live stream of their nest in Big Bear.
    — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of delight
Verb
  • Even if the full ambition has not been met, there is no doubt that clean hydrogen requires the full attention of our policymakers to decarbonize hard-to-electrify sectors and increasingly provide energy and food security.
    — Sverre Alvik, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Timothy Oberleiton, a senior attorney at Earthjustice, said the organization supports local and federal efforts to electrify and shares the village’s vision.
    — Cam'ron Hardy, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of electrify

Browse Nearby Words

thrifty
thrill
thrilled
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Thrill.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thrill. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on thrill

Nglish: Translation of thrill for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about thrill

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of circumscribe

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Words of the Week - Aug. 14

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All