excite

Get the adrenaline

Excite means to stir up strong feeling or activity.

News can excite interest, a discovery can excite the scientific community, and a lover can excite desire.

To be excited is to feel eager anticipation: I'm so excited for the concert.

In technical contexts, to excite is to energize—light excites electrons, current excites a motor.

An excitable person is easily stirred up.

stimulate

activate

Cause to function

sparkTiny fiery particle
triggerWhat initiates action
provokeIncite a response

inspire · energize · animate · galvanize · invigorate · spur · enliven · awaken · arouse · stimulate

thrill

adrenaline

Emergency response hormone

exhilaratingIntensely invigorating or exciting
heart-poundingCausing intense physical excitement
electrifyingIntensely thrilling or stimulating

spine-tingling · hair-raising · rollercoaster · skydiving · bungee · whitewater · daredevil · suspense · gripping · cliffhanger

passion

desire

Intense wanting

ardorIntense emotional warmth
fervorIntense emotional intensity
intensityStrength or force level

fire · burning · heat · inflame · ignite · kindle · stir · rouse · fever · frenzy

anticipation

eager

Intensely wanting something

enthusiasmIntense eager enjoyment
anticipationState of awaiting something
keenSharp or enthusiastic

zealous · avid · impatient · anxious · yearning · hungry · restless · gung-ho · fervent · aspiring

agitate

rile

Anger through irritation

upsetDisturb, topple, or shock
disturbInterrupt or trouble
unsettleCause unease or anxiety

perturb · fluster · ruffle · discompose · disquiet · alarm · startle · jolt · shock · frenzy

Categories

verbsjump, be, speak, wait, do
agitateagitate, stir, rouse, disturb, rile up
activateturn on, switch on, power on, power up, start
memoryremember, forget, recall, memorize, recollect
perceptionsee, vision, seeing, senses, observing

Opposites

emotional arousal

excitecalm

Free from agitation

soothe · tranquilize · sedate · relax · pacify

interest and engagement

excitebore

Tiresome individual or drill

tire · weary · jade · pall · fatigue

emotional valence and morale

Lower or sadden

discourage · dispirit · dishearten · demoralize · deject

Phrases

excited stateElevated energy configuration

Family

excited, exciting, excitement, excitedly, excitable, unexciting, excites, overexcited, excitably

Familiarity: Top 10,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Positive · Everyday, not technical · Rated G