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 next

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 What excites you about the possibility of her and Noah, in particular? —

Vlada Gelman, TVLine, 23 Jan. 2025 In its final quarterly subscriber disclosure late on Tuesday, Netflix excited Wall Street experts by posting a subscriber growth record and unveiling its latest set of price increases that will come into effect across most plans in the U.S., Canada, Portugal and Argentina. —

Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Jan. 2025 Comedian Nick Mohammed’s recent announcement has some Ted Lasso fans excited. —

Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 21 Jan. 2025 Caitlin Clark's surprise appearance alongside Taylor Swift at the Kansas City Chiefs' playoff game excited many fans Saturday, but some dreaded the sight. —

Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 19 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for excite

Recent Examples of Synonyms for excite

Verb

The crypto crowd, long the butt of jokes, was thrilled by its sudden shift in status—even if some doubted the authenticity or durability of Trump’s support.

— Charles Bethea, The New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2025
On Saturday, the women’s final ended in thrilling fashion with Madison Keys winning her first grand slam title, stunning No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka.

— Andrew Torgan, CNN, 26 Jan. 2025