Meaning & use
exultant
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Meanings
adjectivecomparable
Filled with great, openly shown joy, usually because of a win or a success.
Grammar: Can come before a noun or after a verb: an exultant crowd, she felt exultant.
Patterns
- exultant at something
- exultant about something
- exultant over something
The exultant fans poured onto the field after the final whistle.
She was exultant when she saw her name on the winners' list.
He raised his arms in an exultant cry as he crossed the line.
adjectivebefore a noun
Showing or sounding like triumph, as in a look, voice, shout or piece of music.
Grammar: Often describes expressions or sounds: an exultant shout.
Patterns
- an exultant shout
- an exultant smile
The orchestra ended with an exultant chord.
She gave an exultant laugh as the results came in.
His message was short and exultant: We did it!
Word forms
| comparative | more exultant |
|---|---|
| superlative | most exultant |
Common combinations
- exultant crowd
- An exultant crowd filled the square after the announcement.
- exultant cry
- An exultant cry rose from the bleachers.
- feel exultant
- I felt exultant after finishing my first marathon.
- exultant mood
- The team was in an exultant mood on the bus home.
- exultant at the news
- The family was exultant at the news of the safe return.
Synonyms and how they differ
- jubilant
- Jubilant is nearly identical but is a little more common, and it often describes a group celebrating together.
- triumphant
- Triumphant stresses having won, whereas exultant stresses the joyful feeling that comes with winning.
- elated
- Elated describes lifted spirits and may be quiet, while exultant is usually visible or loud.
- overjoyed
- Overjoyed is an everyday word for great happiness without any suggestion of victory.
Opposites
Word family
- exult verb
- to feel or show great joy
- exultation noun
- great triumphant joy
- exultantly adverb
- in a joyfully triumphant way
- exulting adjective
- rejoicing openly
Commonly confused: exultant or exalted? exultant or exaltation?
exultant vs exalted
Exalted means of very high rank or praised highly, not joyful; exultant is about the feeling of triumph.
exultant vs exaltation
Exaltation means great praise or a raising in status, while exultation is a joyful triumphant feeling.
Practice
After their team scored in the last second, the fans were ___.
Choose one answer.
Scoring at the last moment would bring loud triumphant joy, which is exultant. Dejected, indifferent and anxious do not suit that outcome.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “exultant”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.