EXCITE Synonyms: 94 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'excite' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of excite are pique , provoke , quicken , and stimulate . While all these words mean "to arouse as if by pricking," excite implies a stirring up or moving profoundly. // news that excited anger and frustration

Q: When might 'pique' be a better fit than 'excite'?

Although the words pique and excite have much in common, pique suggests stimulating by mild irritation or challenge. // that remark piqued my interest

Q: Where would 'provoke' be a reasonable alternative to 'excite'?

The meanings of provoke and excite largely overlap; however, provoke directs attention to the response called forth. // my stories usually provoke laughter

Q: In what contexts can 'quicken' take the place of 'excite'?

The synonyms quicken and excite are sometimes interchangeable, but quicken implies beneficially stimulating and making active or lively. // the high salary quickened her desire to have the job

Q: When is 'stimulate' a more appropriate choice than 'excite'?

The words stimulate and excite are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, stimulate suggests a rousing out of lethargy, quiescence, or indifference. // stimulating conversation

excite

verb

ik-ˈsīt

Definition of excite

as in to thrill

to cause a pleasurable stimulation of the feelings for some reason the first snowfall of the season never fails to excite us

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to provoke

to rouse to strong feeling or action televised pictures of the victims of the famine that would excite any viewer to pity

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb excite contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of excite are pique, provoke, quicken, and stimulate. While all these words mean "to arouse as if by pricking," excite implies a stirring up or moving profoundly.

news that excited anger and frustration

When might pique be a better fit than excite?

Although the words pique and excite have much in common, pique suggests stimulating by mild irritation or challenge.

that remark piqued my interest

Where would provoke be a reasonable alternative to excite?

The meanings of provoke and excite largely overlap; however, provoke directs attention to the response called forth.

my stories usually provoke laughter

In what contexts can quicken take the place of excite?

The synonyms quicken and excite are sometimes interchangeable, but quicken implies beneficially stimulating and making active or lively.

the high salary quickened her desire to have the job

When is stimulate a more appropriate choice than excite?

The words stimulate and excite are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, stimulate suggests a rousing out of lethargy, quiescence, or indifference.

stimulating conversation

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 excite Still to mention 2026 in the same breath as 2023 should get South Florida sports fans excited. — Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 29 June 2026 Another highlight will come through the Air Force 1 Low, as Nike revives the ’01 construction that’ll excite many collectors. — Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 29 June 2026 Improvements in the Midway to include the buildup of housing and businesses connected to Allianz Field has Wilson excited about the future. — Reg Chapman, CBS News, 27 June 2026 Levine Cava hopes that the Tropical Park time capsule and America 250 monument get tricentennial Miami residents excited in 2076. — Miami Herald, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for excite

Recent Examples of Synonyms for excite

Verb

Not every business leader is thrilled about the direction of the AI industry.

— Chris Dobstaff, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Although Kingda Ka is gone, Six Flags indicated the new attraction is designed to deliver a similarly thrilling experience while introducing several ride elements not currently found elsewhere in North America, according to reports.

— Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026

Definition of thrill

Verb

Montgomery’s death provoked an outpouring of heartfelt support.

— Sarah M.S. Pearsall, The Conversation, 2 July 2026
What the 1998 demolition unexpectedly uncovered roiled Miami and provoked a worldwide outcry — a mysterious set of 24 holes carved into the limestone bedrock in a perfect circle, 38 feet in diameter.

— Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 30 June 2026

Definition of provoke

Verb

Round of 32, Mexico 2-0 Ecuador The thunder and lightning that delayed kick-off by an hour electrified the Estadio Azteca and spurred Mexico on to their most comprehensive performance of the competition.

— Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 5 July 2026
Focus on industrial demand Electricity demand has increased sharply as data centers expand and manufacturers electrify more of their operations.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 July 2026

Definition of electrify

Verb

Valentine also testified that the FDA encourages infant formula companies to send in all adverse event reports and that nothing prevented Mead Johnson from doing so.

— David Hilzenrath, USA Today, 2 July 2026
Going forward, the city will encourage data center developers to submit an application for a special use district, meaning the site would specifically be used for a data center, nothing else.

— Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 2 July 2026

Definition of encourage

Verb

This lighthearted cameo delighted longtime fans and underscored that, while the late-night institution has closed, Colbert himself isn't disappearing from the spotlight anytime soon.

— Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 30 June 2026
On the final day of Pride Month, here’s one final bonkers gay story to delight and amaze you.

— Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 30 June 2026

Definition of delight

Browse Nearby Words

excitableness

excite

excited

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Excite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/excite. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of excite

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on excite

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

perfunctory

Popular in Grammar & Usage

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?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

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

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes