RAPTURE Synonyms: 90 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

rapture 1 of 2

noun

ˈrap-chər

Definition of rapture

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

Relevance

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

Despite their success — statistically, Mexico’s best ever two opening World Cup games in their history — compare the mood in Guadalajara to the rapture which greeted the performances of fellow hosts United States and Canada. — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 19 June 2026 Just four minutes later, Baggio doubled the Italians’ lead with a swift half-volley, sending the capacity crowd inside of New Jersey’s Giants Stadium into raptures. — Shaun Goodwin june 8, Idaho Statesman, 8 June 2026

Verb

For a movie about an apocalyptic clash of vampires and gangsters, Sinners has moments of unexpected jubilance, even rapture. — A.a. Dowd, Rolling Stone, 17 Apr. 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for rapture

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rapture

Noun

The frozen velocity of paint whipped across a canvas suggested a new visual metaphor for intensity, aggression, violence, virility, force, energy, music, and ecstasy, a more efficient representation than any previous word or picture had managed.

— Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2026
Her eyes were cast upward, as the saint’s had been, in her own private ecstasy.

— Ellen O’Connell Whittet, Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of ecstasy

Verb

There are other niceties too, like room for luminous tritium vials on a spinning module that should delight eager fidgeters, and the SceptriX's ability to strike up a spark with a separate ferro rod and light a fire.

— Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 19 Oct. 2026
Those would prove to be the final points the Jayhawks’ offense produced in a 35-24 loss to the Wildcats, a result that delighted the K-State faithful who had booed Edwards during the contest.

— Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of delight

Noun

This world’s heavens are lit with cosmic rays, its cityscapes otherworldly — everything seems to service an unabashed romanticism.

— Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026
And thanks to Tucson’s extraordinarily dark heavens, the Sonoran skyscape takes center stage with Peace Among the Stars.

— Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of heaven

Verb

When one of her for-hire guardians speaks of her past as a musician, playing the pianoforte (piano) for enraptured listeners, Adelaide is entranced.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
The monastery-hermitage that the Anantara Grand Hotel Convento di Amalfi lives in has peered over this endlessly entrancing Tyrrhenian view of sunsets and moonshine since the 13th century, which is priceless.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of entrance

Verb

Deputies said the suspect was also transported to the hospital for medical treatment and is expected to be charged following release.

— Manuel Bojorquez, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
Because the church is located in a rural area, crews transported water to the scene, a social media post said.

— Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of transport

Noun

And listening to every chat were two experts in the science of happiness.

— Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2026
Most of the new songs wrestle with how to seek pleasure while remaining hyperaware of the devastations of the world, and how that tension can make happiness itself feel like a vice.

— Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of happiness

Browse Nearby Words

raptorial

rapture

raptured

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Rapture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rapture. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of rapture

noun

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

The Story of 'Ravenous' and 'Ravishing'

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

jilt

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes

Synonyms of rapture

noun

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Articles Related to rapture

The Story of 'Ravenous' and 'Ravishing'

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

jilt

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes