Excite — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /ik-ˈsīt/ ex·cite

Meaning & Definition of Excite

Excite (verb)

  1. to call to activity
  2. to rouse to an emotional response
  3. to arouse (something, such as a strong emotional response) by appropriate stimuli

Excite (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to cause a pleasurable stimulation of the feelings

    "for some reason the first snowfall of the season never fails to excite us"

    similar: charge, electrify, exhilarate, galvanize, intoxicate, pump up, thrill, titillate, turn on
    related: arouse, incite, inspire, provoke, stimulate, bewitch, captivate, charm, delight, enchant, enthrall, hypnotize, mesmerize, rivet, spellbind, interest, intrigue, tantalize
    near: bore, jade, pall, tire, weary, deject, demoralize, discourage, dishearten, dispirit

  2. to rouse to strong feeling or action

    "televised pictures of the victims of the famine that would excite any viewer to pity"

    similar: arouse, encourage, fire (up), impassion, incite, instigate, move, pique, provoke, rev (up), spark, stimulate, stir, build a fire under
    related: fan, ignite, inflame, kindle, trigger, activate, animate, drive, energize, galvanize, induce, inspire, key (up), motivate, motive, pump up, quicken, set off, vitalize, abet, ferment, foment, raise, whip (up), anger, enrage, madden, upset, jeer, taunt, tease, aggravate, annoy, bother, exasperate, gall, get, irritate, vex
    near: calm, soothe, subdue, tranquilize, appease, mollify, pacify, placate

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Excite

The most common words with a similar meaning to Excite:

charge, electrify, exhilarate, galvanize, intoxicate, pump up, thrill, titillate, turn on, arouse, encourage, fire (up), impassion, incite, instigate, move, pique, provoke, rev (up), spark, stimulate, stir, build a fire under

Related Words for Excite

inspire, bewitch, captivate, charm, delight, enchant, enthrall, hypnotize, mesmerize, rivet, spellbind, interest, intrigue, tantalize, fan, ignite, inflame, kindle, trigger, activate, animate, drive, energize, induce, key (up), motivate, motive, quicken, set off, vitalize

Near Antonyms of Excite

bore, jade, pall, tire, weary, deject, demoralize, discourage, dishearten, dispirit, calm, soothe, subdue, tranquilize, appease, mollify, pacify, placate

Word Forms of Excite

Inflections: excited, exciting

Origin & Etymology of Excite

Middle English, from Anglo-French exciter, from Latin excitare, from ex- + citare to rouse cite

First known use: 14th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Excite

What does "Excite" mean?

"Excite" means to call to activity. As a verb, it is defined as: to call to activity. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Excite"?

Other words for "Excite" include charge, electrify, exhilarate, galvanize, intoxicate, pump up, thrill and titillate. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Excite" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Excite"?

There are 73 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Excite". Common alternatives include charge, electrify, exhilarate, galvanize, intoxicate, pump up, thrill, titillate, turn on and arouse.

How do you use "Excite" in a sentence?

Examples of "Excite" in a sentence: "for some reason the first snowfall of the season never fails to excite us"; "televised pictures of the victims of the famine that would excite any viewer to pity".

Is "Excite" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Excite" is a verb.

How do you pronounce "Excite"?

"Excite" is pronounced /ik-ˈsīt/ and divided into syllables as ex·cite.

What is the origin of the word "Excite"?

"Excite" comes from Middle English, from Anglo-French exciter, from Latin excitare, from ex- + citare to rouse cite. First known use: 14th century.

What is another word for "Excite" meaning "to cause a pleasurable stimulation of the feelings"?

When "Excite" (verb) means to cause a pleasurable stimulation of the feelings, synonyms include charge, electrify, exhilarate, galvanize, intoxicate and pump up.