rapture 1 of 2

noun

ˈrap-chər How to pronounce rapture (audio)
Definition of rapturenext
as in ecstasy
a state of overwhelming usually pleasurable emotion in The Nutcracker Clara gazes in rapture as the Christmas tree grows before her very eyes

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

rapture

2 of 2

verb

as in to delight
to fill with overwhelming emotion (as wonder or delight) nature lovers will be raptured by the documentary's breathtaking cinematography

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word rapture distinct from other similar nouns?

The words ecstasy and transport are common synonyms of rapture. While all three words mean "intense exaltation of mind and feelings," rapture usually implies intense bliss or beatitude.

in speechless rapture

How do ecstasy and rapture relate to one another?

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

When might transport be a better fit than rapture?

In some situations, the words transport and rapture are roughly equivalent. However, 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 rapture
Noun
Connecting with others is essential during Pisces season since our emotions are intensified due to the Neptunian raptures. — Lisa Stardust, refinery29.com, 14 Feb. 2025 The intimacy in Akerman’s film is a matter of structural poetry, of analytic rapture. — Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 11 Feb. 2025
Verb
Dispensationalism has an offensive reputation among many Jews because the End Times prophecy outlines an event in which Jews suffer mass slaughter while Christian believers are spared because God raptured them. — Liam Adams, The Tennessean, 22 Nov. 2024 Yet Mendes mostly sees a cheap, useful instrument in Deakins—a shortcut to rapture. — A.a. Dowd, Chron, 8 Dec. 2022 See All Example Sentences for rapture
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rapture
  1. ecstasy
  2. delight
  3. heaven
  4. entrance
  5. joy
  6. transport
  7. happiness
  8. carry away
Noun
  • Earlier, Waters is seen in a spasm of ecstasy after the aspiring lifestyle guru shows an intensely yellow egg yolk that came from one her famous rescue chickens.
    — Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2025
  • When searching him and his car, police found a loaded 9 mm handgun on the driver’s side floorboard and 16 grams of ecstasy in his possession, the release said.
    — Naperville Sun, Chicago Tribune, 25 Feb. 2025
Definition of ecstasy
Verb
  • Like Clarkson often does, Groban delighted fans by performing for them.
    — Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025
  • What’s more, Mattel throughout its history operated with a studio-like approach to creating products to delight the most fickle consumers and their parents.
    — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 6 Mar. 2025
Definition of delight
Noun
  • Giant old growth conifers rise towards the heavens while thick ferns and mosses blanket the forest floor, all combining to dampen sound.
    — Graham Averill, Outside Online, 4 Mar. 2025
  • Typically, missions surveying the heavens have wide fields of view but at only a handful of individual or groups of wavelengths of light.
    — Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 28 Feb. 2025
Definition of heaven
Verb
  • That so much night could exist within a city, flooding the side-streets and massing in secluded courtyards, entranced me.
    — Hazlitt, Hazlitt, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Her hypnotic voice conjured up scenes reminiscent of Isabella Rossellini’s entrancing lounge singer performance from the David Lynch film Blue Velvet.
    — Paul Chi, Vogue, 13 Feb. 2025
Definition of entrance
Noun
  • But as one top seed was declared, then another, then another, a different feeling crept over the group than the joy that filled the room this time last year.
    — Austin Knoblauch, Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2025
  • That idea—of a grand continuum, in which the circumstances change but all of our big human feelings (heartache, joy, unease, panic, contentment) remain the same, across time and vast distances—felt germane to her new songs.
    — Amanda Petrusich, The New Yorker, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of joy
Verb
  • Brozek sustained minor injuries and was transported to an area hospital for evaluation, state police said.
    — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Homero Zamorano pleaded guilty in January to three counts of conspiracy and transporting migrants resulting in death.
    — Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of transport
Noun
  • For much of her youth, Natalie, 38, of New York, wasn't sure what happiness looked like for her.
    — Mark Davis, Newsweek, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Stephanie Harrison is the founder of The New Happy, an organization advancing a new philosophy of happiness.
    — Stephanie Harrison, Contributor, CNBC, 15 Mar. 2025
Definition of happiness
Verb
  • Alfonso points to the driveway and talks about catching Ivan in the car a bunch of times, having gotten carried away playing until the morning.
    — Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 13 Mar. 2025
  • As the marsupial is being carried away by a laughing Jones, the native Australian animal is heard screeching for its mother.
    — Skyler Caruso, People.com, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of carry away

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Cite this Entry

“Rapture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rapture. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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