excite

verb

ex·​cite ik-ˈsīt How to pronounce excite (audio)
ek-
excited; exciting
Synonyms of excitenext

transitive verb

1
a
: to call to activity
b
: to rouse to an emotional response
scenes to excite the hardest man to pity
c
: to arouse (something, such as a strong emotional response) by appropriate stimuli
excite enthusiasm for the new regime—Arthur Knight
2
a
: energize
excite an electromagnet
b
: to produce a magnetic field in
excite a dynamo
3
: to increase the activity of (something, such as a living organism) : stimulate
drugs that excite the central nervous system
4
: to raise (an atomic nucleus, an atom, a molecule, etc.) to a higher energy level

Synonyms of excite

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provoke, excite, stimulate, pique, quicken mean to arouse as if by pricking.

provoke directs attention to the response called forth.

my stories usually provoke laughter

excite implies a stirring up or moving profoundly.

news that excited anger and frustration

stimulate suggests a rousing out of lethargy, quiescence, or indifference.

stimulating conversation

pique suggests stimulating by mild irritation or challenge.

that remark piqued my interest

quicken implies beneficially stimulating and making active or lively.

the high salary quickened her desire to have the job

Examples of excite in a Sentence

ideas that excite young people Our announcement excited the children. The posters excited much interest in the show.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
While light does excite electrons in graphene, these electrons cannot be used as electricity, since the ‘holes’ left behind by the electrons are not separated and cannot be directed to electrodes, something silicon can do extremely well. — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2026 One of the things that excites me about casting Batman is being able to pick a Batman who’s actually the best actor for that role. — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 29 Oct. 2026 After a two-year wait, Apple has updated the iPad mini with a huge spec and performance bump that should excite fans of the pocketable tablet. — Eric Zeman, PC Magazine, 28 Oct. 2026 With the whole crew excited about the McCarthy news, Kevin sent a pic to the group chat featuring an image of a giant TV with the announcement on it. — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 28 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for excite

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French exciter, from Latin excitare, from ex- + citare to rouse — more at cite

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of excite was in the 14th century

Rhymes for excite

See All Rhymes for excite

Browse Nearby Words

excitatory
excite
excited
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Excite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/excite. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

excite

verb
ex·​cite ik-ˈsīt How to pronounce excite (audio)
excited; exciting
1
: to stir up feeling in
ideas that excite young people
2
: to cause to be felt or done
excite admiration
posters excited interest in the show
3
a
: energize sense 2a
b
: to produce a magnetic field in
4
: to increase the activity of (as nervous tissue) : stimulate
5
: to raise (as an atom) to a higher energy level
exciter noun

Medical Definition

excite

transitive verb
ex·​cite ik-ˈsīt How to pronounce excite (audio)
excited; exciting
1
: to increase the activity of (as a living organism) : stimulate
2
: to raise (as an atomic nucleus, an atom, or a molecule) to a higher energy level
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