When you want to write the emotion exhilaration, it's important to "show" the emotion your character is experiencing through their physical reactions and dialogue, rather than "tell" it. In this article we provide you with inspiration so you can avoid showing emotions and immerse your readers in your story.

Exhilaration is a feeling of great happiness, excitement, and elation. It is a state of being invigorated, energized, and thrilled by a particular experience or situation. It is often accompanied by a rush of adrenaline, a feeling of heightened senses, and a sense of euphoria. Exhilaration can be triggered by a variety of experiences, such as achieving a personal goal, experiencing a thrilling adventure, or being in a state of intense passion or love.

Different Types of Exhilaration

Here are some different types of exhilaration:

• Euphoria: a feeling of intense happiness and excitement.
• Thrill: a feeling of excitement or pleasure caused by something adventurous or daring.
• Ecstasy: a state of overwhelming happiness or joy.
• Rapture: a feeling of intense pleasure or joy.
• Exultation: a feeling of triumphant elation or jubilation.
• Bliss: a state of complete happiness or joy.
• Jubilation: a feeling of great happiness and triumph.

Situations Associated with Exhilaration

Here are some situations where a character might experience the emotion of exhilaration:

• Achieving a long-term goal or dream, such as winning a championship game or completing a difficult project
• Overcoming a significant obstacle or challenge, such as surviving a near-death experience or landing a coveted job
• Experiencing a thrilling or exciting event, such as skydiving or riding a roller coaster
• Feeling a rush of adrenaline, such as during a high-speed car chase or intense sports competition
• Receiving unexpected good news or a surprise, such as winning the lottery or being reunited with a loved one
• Feeling a sense of freedom or liberation, such as quitting a job that was causing stress or leaving a toxic relationship
• Feeling a sense of accomplishment after hard work or dedication, such as finishing a marathon or publishing a book
• Trying something new or stepping out of one's comfort zone, such as traveling to a foreign country or learning a new skill

Physical Reactions to Exhilaration

Here are some physical reactions a character experiencing exhilaration might have:

• Increased heart rate and breathing
• Dilated pupils and widened eyes
• Raised eyebrows and a wide smile
• Open body posture with arms raised or spread wide
• Jumping, bouncing, or dancing
• Laughing or screaming
• Quick movements and high energy levels
• A sense of lightness or weightlessness
• Excited speech or shouting

Thoughts Associated with Exhilaration

Here are some thoughts a character experiencing exhilaration might have:

• My heart is racing with excitement.
• I feel like I'm on top of the world!
• Everything around me seems brighter and more vivid.
• I can't stop smiling and laughing.
• My mind is buzzing with ideas and possibilities.
• I feel invincible, like nothing can bring me down.
• This is exactly where I'm meant to be, doing exactly what I'm meant to do.
• I want to savor this moment forever.
• I feel so alive and full of energy.

Atmosphere of Exhilaration

Here are some ways that you might reflect the emotion of exhilaration in the atmosphere of your scene:

• Use descriptions that emphasize movement and excitement, such as the rush of wind or the pounding of adrenaline.
• Choose a setting that is inherently thrilling, such as a rollercoaster or a bungee jumping platform.
• Incorporate sensory details that heighten the experience, like the smell of freshly cut grass or the taste of salt on the air.
• Utilize short, punchy sentences to convey the quickness and energy of the moment.
• Highlight the contrasts of emotions between characters who feel exhilarated and those who may feel apprehensive or fearful.
• Use dialogue to showcase the excitement and enthusiasm of the characters experiencing the emotion.

Verbs Associated with Exhilaration

Here are some verbs commonly associated with the emotion of exhilaration:

• Leap
• Soar
• Race
• Sprint
• Celebrate
• Dance
• Shout
• Sing
• Laugh
• Jump
• Bound
• Glide
• Thrill
• Delight
• Euphoria
• Triumph
• Victory
• Conquer
• Energize
• Stimulate

Emotions Before Exhilaration

Here are some emotions that may come before a character experiences exhilaration:

• Anticipation
• Excitement
• Euphoria
• Joy
• Happiness
• Relief
• Satisfaction
• Triumph
• Pride

Emotions After Exhilaration

Here are some emotions that may come after a character experiences exhilaration:

• Relief
• Contentment
• Satisfaction
• Calmness
• Gratitude
• Joy
• Euphoria
• Empowerment
• Confidence

Telling Exhilaration Examples to Avoid

Here are some examples of telling the emotion exhilaration in a sentence. You should avoid things like this:

• He felt exhilarated after jumping out of the airplane.
• Winning the race made him feel exhilarated.
• Her exhilaration was palpable as she danced around the room.
• The roller coaster ride left him feeling exhilarated.
• The adrenaline rush left her feeling exhilarated.
• He was exhilarated by the thrill of the chase.
• She couldn't help but feel exhilarated as she crossed the finish line.
• The excitement of the concert left him feeling exhilarated.
• The sense of accomplishment left her feeling exhilarated.

Practical Examples of Showing Exhilaration

Here are some examples of showing exhilaration in a sentence:

• My heart raced as I soared through the air on the rollercoaster, arms raised high.
• A wide grin spread across my face as I crossed the finish line first, the wind still whipping through my hair.
• I let out a whoop of joy as I received the news that I had landed the lead role in the play.
• My body trembled with excitement as I stepped onto the stage to perform in front of a packed audience.

Exercises for Showing Exhilaration

Here are some writing exercises to practice showing exhilaration:

• Think about a moment in your life when you felt truly exhilarated. Write down the details of that moment, including the setting, people involved, and any sensory details that stand out. Use this as inspiration for a scene in your writing.
• Write a scene in which your character is experiencing a rush of adrenaline, such as skydiving, bungee jumping, or running a marathon. Focus on describing the physical sensations of exhilaration, such as the pounding heart, the rush of wind, and the feeling of weightlessness.
• Consider the things that your character is passionate about, such as a favorite hobby or a cherished goal. Write a scene in which they achieve a major milestone related to this passion, and describe the sense of exhilaration that comes with this accomplishment.
• Write a scene in which your character experiences a sudden and unexpected victory, such as winning a lottery or acing a difficult test. Focus on the emotional highs and lows of this experience, and how the character's sense of exhilaration evolves over time.

Want more help with showing emotion instead of telling? You find more help in our full emotions thesaurus.