Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Definitions

excite

[ik-sahyt] / ɪkˈsaɪt /
VERB
inspire; upset
Synonyms
STRONGEST
agitate amaze anger animate annoy astound bother delight disturb energize irritate offend thrill turn on vex work up worry
STRONG
accelerate arouse awaken chafe discompose electrify elicit evoke fire fluster foment galvanize goad incite induce inflame infuriate instigate intensify jar jolt kindle madden mock move precipitate provoke quicken rouse start stimulate taunt tease titillate waken warm whet
WEAK
feed the fire stir up touch off wake up
Antonyms
STRONGEST
aid assist calm depress discourage help make happy please quiet reassure soothe
STRONG
bore cool dampen deter disenchant dishearten dissuade dull end halt hinder praise prevent put out repress retard slow stop turn off weaken
WEAK
compose deaden lull moderate pacify tranquilize

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Seyboth, 45, said when he started his career, the technology industry still offered plenty to excite him.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

"We live in a world of technology. We need scientists, engineers and mathematicians - and space has a brilliant ability to excite people about those subjects," says Libby Jackson.

From BBC • Mar. 29, 2026

When a photon strikes a material, it can excite an electron and move it away from its original position, leaving behind a positively charged hole.

From Science Daily • Mar. 16, 2026

In the popular overture, elicitation of tumult concludes, with startling exhilaration, in the kind of grand Beethovenian triumph that never fails to excite.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 19, 2026

“I did not want to excite you at the time. I also told the students that, for the sake of humanity’s future, I hoped that they were all sterile.”

From "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole

Vocabulary lists containing excite

"The Slave Trade" and "Abolition"

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!