ecstasy

noun

ec·​sta·​sy ˈek-stə-sē How to pronounce ecstasy (audio)
plural ecstasies
Synonyms of ecstasynext
1
: a state of overwhelming emotion
especially : rapturous delight
2
often capitalized : a synthetic amphetamine analog C11H15NO2 used illicitly for its mood-enhancing and hallucinogenic properties

called also MDMA

3
: trance
especially : a mystic or prophetic trance
4
a
: a state of being beyond reason and self-control
b
archaic : swoon

Synonyms

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 
Choose the Right Synonym for ecstasy

ecstasy, rapture, transport 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

rapture usually implies intense bliss or beatitude.

in speechless rapture

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

Examples of ecstasy in a Sentence

His performance sent the audience into ecstasies. actors are typically in ecstasy upon winning an Oscar
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Navalny puts the card in his breast pocket and has a moment of his own religious ecstasy. —Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 21 Oct. 2024 So maybe the messy apartment set was just meant to reflect the mindset of somebody who is just so completely focused on finding manic ecstasy through art that little things like housekeeping and home repair take a back seat. —Chris Willman, Variety, 3 Oct. 2024 Rashida Jones, Will McCormack (USA), 2023 Watching Bill Marsh teach children how to swim is like witnessing a great opera, one filled with intense agony and ecstasy, absurdism, fear, hope, despair, joy, connection, love, some vomit, and lots of belching. —Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 12 Sep. 2024 Her face is placid and grateful, set in ecstasy or prayer. —Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for ecstasy 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English exstasie, extasy "elation," borrowed from Middle French extasie, "stupor, transported state," borrowed from Late Latin ecstasis, extasis "trance, swoon, profound sleep," borrowed from Greek ékstasis "displacement, mental distraction, astonishment, trance," from eksta-, stem of existánai "to displace, drive out of one's senses, confound," exístasthai "to be astonished, lose consciousness" (from ex- ex- entry 3 + histánai "to cause to stand, place," hístasthai "to be standing") + -sis -sis — more at stand entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4a

Time Traveler
The first known use of ecstasy was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near ecstasy

ecstasize

ecstasy

ecstatic

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Ecstasy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ecstasy. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

ecstasy

noun
ec·​sta·​sy ˈek-stə-sē How to pronounce ecstasy (audio)
plural ecstasies
1
: a state of being beyond reason and self-control
2
: a state of overwhelming emotion
an ecstasy of fear
especially : very great joy
3
: a drug used illegally to stimulate the central nervous system and to cause hallucinations
ecstatic
ek-ˈstat-ik
ik-
adjective
ecstatically
-i-k(ə-)lē
adverb

Medical Definition

ecstasy

noun
ec·​sta·​sy ˈek-stə-sē How to pronounce ecstasy (audio)
plural ecstasies
1
: a trance state in which intense absorption (as in religious ideation) is accompanied by loss of sense perception and voluntary control
2
often capitalized : a synthetic amphetamine analog C11H15NO2 used illicitly for its mood-enhancing and hallucinogenic properties

called also MDMA, methylenedioxymethamphetamine, XTC

ecstatic
ek-ˈstat-ik How to pronounce ecstasy (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on ecstasy

Nglish: Translation of ecstasy for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of ecstasy for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ecstasy

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