What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
exhilarate
Example
The roller coaster ride exhilarated me. [exhilarated: past tense]
Example
The thought of traveling to a new country exhilarates me. [exhilarates: verb]
excite
Example
The news of her promotion excited her. [excited: past tense]
Example
The concert lineup is exciting and I can't wait to see the performers. [exciting: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Excite is more commonly used than exhilarate in everyday language. Excite is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while exhilarate is less common and has a more formal connotation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between exhilarate and excite?
Exhilarate is typically associated with a more formal and elevated tone, while excite is more casual and informal, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.