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

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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 What excites you the most about the Caribbean music scene right now? — Kyle Denis, Billboard, 20 Oct. 2026 Mathematicians are both frustrated and excited by OpenAI’s work. — Quanta Magazine, 19 Oct. 2026 Angela Weiss | Afp | Getty Images Heading into 2026, investors were excited at the prospect of a host of new initial public offerings, including ones from mega-cap private companies like SpaceX, Anthropic and OpenAI. — Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 19 Oct. 2026 Because there have basically not been any other Republicans who have excited donors for a decade. — Jacob Brogan, Vox, 17 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for excite

Recent Examples of Synonyms for excite

Verb

Their darkness and surreality narrow your attention and enhance your connection to their stunning, futuristic artifacts, turning a familiar experience into a thrilling journey.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
Taylor was thrilled to see Mendoza take his opportunity to shoot the ball.

— Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of thrill

Verb

North Korea denied responsibility for the explosions and warned of strong retaliation if provoked.

— ABC News, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026
In 2012 American entrepreneur Russ George spread roughly 100 tons of iron in the North Pacific, provoking international criticism that a commercial venture had begun geoengineering without adequate oversight.

— Alec Luhn, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of provoke

Verb

The Cougars stuffed all the ways Utah likes to run the ball until Dampier took matters into his own hands and posted a season high in rushing in electrifying style.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
Under Porter's direction, the ensemble mines every beat for honest friction, turning a century-old battle over dignity and artistic ownership into an electrifying stage presence.

— La'Tasha Givens, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of electrify

Verb

Susan Saint James, the Emmy-winning actress who delighted TV viewers with her light-hearted turns on The Name of the Game, McMillan & Wife and Kate & Allie before quitting at the peak of her powers, has died.

— Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2026
His designs continue to delight and inspire through his use of pattern, textures and color that now goes beyond signature knitwear.

— Emily Mercer, Footwear News, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of delight

Verb

The move stimulated the private sector and accelerated the deployment of EV infrastructure, Vesser said.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Issagholyan built out a 24-session plan to course-correct, involving twice weekly visits in which I would be chiropractically adjusted, my jaw cold-lasered to promote cellular regeneration and my back muscles stimulated by electrodes.

— Alessandra Codinha, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of stimulate

Browse Nearby Words

excitableness

excite

excited

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“Excite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/excite. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of excite

verb

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