as in thrill
a pleasurably intense stimulation of the feelings
a cultural critic who argues that people have become too dependent upon the instant gratification and titillation that television and the Internet provide
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 titillation
Kristi Noem, the head of the Department of Homeland Security, posed in front of a group of immigrants sent to a torture site in El Salvador, in a show of sadistic titillation.
—
Ta-Nehisi Coates, Vanity Fair, 26 Jan. 2026
Turning our back on data would remove any outside accountability, leave policymakers driving a car without map or road, and lead the country to a place where the titillation of conspiracy and cherry-picked numbers become the only barometer of what’s real.
—Abby McCloskey, Twin Cities, 4 Jan. 2026
Historically, Minter said, such paintings were a sanctioned form of titillation.
—Dana Goodyear, New Yorker, 8 Dec. 2025
But the companies that were early to embrace mature AI also encountered legal and societal minefields and harmful abuse as a growing number of people have turned to the technology for companionship or titillation.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2025
There were moments of incredible intimacy as well as moments of titillation and moments of danger.
—Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 8 Oct. 2025
That’s a sad thing for fashion, because fashion is about titillation and should be fun.
—James Fallon, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2025
Ta-Nehisi Coates, Vanity Fair, 26 Jan. 2026
Turning our back on data would remove any outside accountability, leave policymakers driving a car without map or road, and lead the country to a place where the titillation of conspiracy and cherry-picked numbers become the only barometer of what’s real.
—Abby McCloskey, Twin Cities, 4 Jan. 2026
Historically, Minter said, such paintings were a sanctioned form of titillation.
—Dana Goodyear, New Yorker, 8 Dec. 2025
But the companies that were early to embrace mature AI also encountered legal and societal minefields and harmful abuse as a growing number of people have turned to the technology for companionship or titillation.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2025
There were moments of incredible intimacy as well as moments of titillation and moments of danger.
—Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 8 Oct. 2025
That’s a sad thing for fashion, because fashion is about titillation and should be fun.
—James Fallon, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for titillation
Noun
-
Kay isn’t some kind of unhinged chaos agent or emotional thrill-seeker (well, maybe just a little), but rather an adventurous artist eager to dig deep beneath the surface.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Today, teens are no different from any other generation, still searching for freedom and the thrill of playing chicken with authority.—
Louis Martinez,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
York and Rochdale issued a statement before kick-off, arguing that the quota should be increased from two to three, in line with the EFL’s three divisions.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Top with sea salt for an additional salty kick.—
Erin Merhar,
Southern Living,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Titillation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/titillation. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
