titillate

1 of 2

verb

tit·​il·​late ˈti-tə-ˌlāt How to pronounce titillate (audio)
titillated; titillating
Synonyms of titillatenext

transitive verb

1
: to excite pleasurably : arouse by stimulation
2
: tickle sense 1

intransitive verb

: to act as a stimulant to pleasurable excitement
titillation
ˌti-tə-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce titillate (audio)
noun
titillative
ˈti-tə-ˌlā-tiv How to pronounce titillate (audio)
adjective

titillation

2 of 2

noun

tit·​il·​la·​tion ˌtitᵊlˈāshən How to pronounce titillation (audio)
-itᵊl-
plural -s
1
: the action of titillating or the state of being titillated
especially : a pleasurable excitement or stimulation (as of the mind or senses)
2
: a sensation of being titillated : a transient reaction from or as if from being tickled : a slight thrill especially of pleasure

Synonyms of titillate

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Verb

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Examples of titillate in a Sentence

Verb a film made to titillate the audience writing that titillates and provokes
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.
Verb
Brands today need nuance to be titillating—nudity and provocation are too available. — José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 2 Sep. 2026 So there’s a lot for Mark to be titillated by in that moment. — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2026 The comment at a rally last Sunday titillated, provoked and enraged different audiences simultaneously, all but guaranteeing saturation news coverage and even more attention. — Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026 But the action is so dependent on overwrought dialogue, red herrings, titillating close-ups, and a barrage of throwback songs that the story constantly takes a backseat. — Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 8 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for titillate

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Latin titillatus, past participle of titillare

Noun

Middle English titillacione, from Latin titillation-, titillatio, from titillatus (past participle of titillare to titillate) + -ion-, -io -ion

First Known Use

Verb

1620, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of titillate was in 1620

Rhymes for titillate

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Browse Nearby Words

titilla
titillate
titillating
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Titillate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/titillate. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

titillate

verb
tit·​il·​late ˈtit-ᵊl-ˌāt How to pronounce titillate (audio)
titillated; titillating
1
: tickle entry 1 sense 1
2
: to excite pleasurably
titillation
ˌtit-ᵊl-ˈā-shən How to pronounce titillate (audio)
noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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