ecstasy

noun

ˈek-stə-sē How to pronounce ecstasy (audio)
Definition of ecstasynext
as in joy
a state of overwhelming usually pleasurable emotion actors are typically in ecstasy upon winning an Oscar

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word ecstasy distinct from other similar nouns?

The words rapture and transport are common synonyms of ecstasy. While all three words mean "intense exaltation of mind and feelings," ecstasy and rapture both suggest a state of trance or near immobility produced by an overpowering emotion; ecstasy may apply to any strong emotion (such as joy, fear, rage, adoration).

religious ecstasy

Where would rapture be a reasonable alternative to ecstasy?

While the synonyms rapture and ecstasy are close in meaning, rapture usually implies intense bliss or beatitude.

in speechless rapture

When would transport be a good substitute for ecstasy?

The words transport and ecstasy can be used in similar contexts, but transport applies to any powerful emotion that lifts one out of oneself and usually provokes vehement expression or frenzied action.

in a transport of rage

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 ecstasy Hilderbabes can at least relive the beach ecstasy through the latest adaptation — and perhaps there will be more Hilderbrand books brought to the screen. — Wendy Naugle, USA Today, 11 July 2026 Depression and anxiety’s impact on moms and babies One drug that has been studied and enhanced our understanding of the way psychedelics work is MDMA, which is commonly known as ecstasy and causes a euphoric high. — Camille Hoffman, The Conversation, 7 July 2026 The album covers hardstyle, new age pop, and operatic folk at a sometimes startling pace, capturing the chaos and ecstasy of one of the most physically and emotionally transformative experiences the human body can endure. — Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 25 June 2026 Grab a few moments of analog ecstasy with a glass of Testarossa’s Soberanes Chardonnay or Rosella’s Pinot Noir, and life will look a lot more manageable. — Laura Ness, Mercury News, 23 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for ecstasy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ecstasy
  1. joy
  2. heaven
  3. happiness
  4. euphoria
  5. delight
  6. elation
  7. pleasure
  8. intoxication
Noun
  • Choose one small goal, keep it affordable, and let joy build through action.
    — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Thank you for the memories, the friendship, and for bringing joy to generations of fans.
    — Christa Swanson, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of joy
Noun
  • And thanks to Tucson’s extraordinarily dark heavens, the Sonoran skyscape takes center stage with Peace Among the Stars.
    — Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Sounds like heaven to me, but your security posture mileage may vary!
    — Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of heaven
Noun
  • Research has even found a positive relationship between higher income and reported happiness.
    — True Tamplin, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Being single again felt like a step backward, further away than ever from happiness.
    — Andrea Javor, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of happiness
Noun
  • Money is inherently emotional, and many of the most consequential financial decisions occur during periods of uncertainty, fear or euphoria.
    — Alex Shahidi, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Like most psychedelics, psilocybin’s effects are the result of interactions with a specific type of serotonin receptor in the brain, which both triggers the characteristic hallucinations and euphoria and induces neural plasticity.
    — Mike McRae August 19, New Atlas, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of euphoria
Noun
  • Cask-finished whiskey has been released by many other distilleries, but as mentioned above, this year marks the first time that Four Roses has entered the category, to the delight of some whiskey drinkers and the chagrin of others.
    — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Spike Fearn and Angourie Rice delight as academic opposites in this quick-witted, big-hearted and genuinely youthful-feeling British charmer.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of delight
Noun
  • Fischer expressed pure elation while rounding the bases on the homer.
    — Chuck Murr, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026
  • There’s the elation after finding a great idea, and then despair because no one’s going to talk to you, and then elation when people talk to you.
    — Longreads, Longreads, 23 July 2026
Definition of elation
Noun
  • Bad as this world feels, there’s still pleasure in making art.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The speaker of the House appoints the House parliamentarian; the Senate parliamentarian serves at the pleasure of the secretary of the Senate, who is elected by senators at the start of each Congress.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of pleasure
Noun
  • Police reportedly recovered two knives, while Stevens was arrested on complaints of assault with a deadly weapon and public intoxication, according to Howard.
    — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Reddington agreed that voluntary intoxication instructions should be removed.
    — Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of intoxication

Browse Nearby Words

ecstasies
ecstasy
ecstatic
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ecstasy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ecstasy. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on ecstasy

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ecstasy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All