To fill someone with sudden, strong excitement and pleasure.
Reach for it when describing an experience that produces lively delight rather than quiet satisfaction
The first clear signal from the restored radio will thrill the students.
| playful | |
|---|---|
| everyday | |
| warm | |
| professional | |
| formal | |
| literary |
playful
Fits when informal, showy impact is intended
Careful Wow is too casual and performance-focused for a dignified tribute.
everyday
Fits when surprise and wonder dominate
Careful Amazement may be neutral or unsettling rather than joyful.
everyday
excite
Fits when heightened energy or anticipation matters
Careful Excite can include anxiety or agitation and is not necessarily pleasurable.
warm
Fits when strong pleasure should sound graceful rather than breathless
Careful Delight can be quiet and lacks the bodily rush suggested by thrill.
professional
Fits when the experience motivates future action
Careful Inspiration can be calm and does not require immediate excitement.
formal
exhilarate
Fits when invigorating excitement feels physically lifting
Careful Exhilarate is stronger and more sustained than many pleasant surprises.
literary
electrify
Fits when a crowd or room reacts with sudden intense energy
Careful Electrify is dramatic and wrong for private, gentle pleasure.
literary
enchant
Fits when charm and wonder create the pleasure
Careful Enchant is softer and more magical than the sharp excitement of thrill.
thrill an audience
The final harmony can thrill an audience without relying on sheer volume.
thrill visitors
The recovered mural will thrill visitors who remember the old station.
sure to thrill
The night walk is sure to thrill children who enjoy insects and astronomy.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Sylvanmoon, American accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Updated
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