Exalt vs. Exult — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 13, 2023
Exalt means to hold in high regard or elevate in rank, while Exult means to rejoice or feel triumphant joy.
Difference Between Exalt and Exult
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Exalt generally pertains to elevating something in status, rank, or honor. It's about lifting something or someone higher, often in a symbolic or literal sense. Exult, on the other hand, pertains to expressing joy, often due to a victory or achievement. It's about displaying profound happiness or jubilation.
When one uses the term Exalt, they could be referring to praising someone, perhaps for their achievements or virtues. It has connotations of respect and admiration. Exult is more about the emotion one feels when they achieve something great or when something good happens to them, like the feeling after winning a race.
In religious contexts, Exalt is often used to describe the act of praising or glorifying a deity. It's a sign of devotion and reverence. Meanwhile, to Exult in a religious sense would mean to take joy or pleasure in one's faith or in the blessings they've received.
A leader might be Exalted to a higher position due to their dedication and hard work. They've been elevated, recognized, and given more responsibility or honor. If that leader were to Exult, it would mean they're celebrating, perhaps about their promotion or some other good news.
To summarize, Exalt is about elevation—either in status, rank, or regard. Exult is about elation, the joy one feels due to an accomplishment or good fortune.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Elevate in rank or honor
Rejoice or feel triumphant joy
Part of Speech
Verb
Verb
Emotion Conveyed
Respect, reverence, admiration
Joy, jubilation, happiness
Typical Usage
In the context of promotion or praise
In the context of celebration or expressing happiness
Synonyms
Glorify, honor, elevate
Rejoice, celebrate, be jubilant
Compare with Definitions
Exalt
Elevate by praise or in estimation.
The community exalted the hero for saving the child.
Exult
Feel or show triumphant joy.
The team exulted in their championship win.
Exalt
Raise in rank or status.
The soldier was exalted to the rank of captain for his bravery.
Exult
Rejoice greatly.
The community exulted when the lost child was found.
Exalt
Lift up or elevate.
The statue was exalted on a high pedestal for all to see.
Exult
Express elation or jubilation.
The fans exulted with cheers after the last-minute goal.
Exalt
Increase the effect or intensity of.
The spices exalted the flavors of the dish.
Exult
Celebrate an achievement or good fortune.
After receiving the scholarship, she couldn't help but exult.
Exalt
Think or speak very highly of (someone or something)
The party will continue to exalt their hero
Exult
Feel or show triumphant elation or jubilation
Exulting in her escape, Lisa closed the door behind her
Exalt
Raise to a higher rank or position
This naturally exalts the peasant above his brethren in the same rank of society
Exult
To rejoice greatly; be jubilant or triumphant.
Exalt
To raise in rank, character, or status; elevate
Exalted the shepherd to the rank of grand vizier.
Exult
(Obsolete) To leap upward, especially for joy.
Exalt
To glorify, praise, or honor.
Exult
(intransitive) To rejoice; to be very happy, especially in triumph.
Exalt
To increase the effect or intensity of; heighten
Works of art that exalt the imagination.
Exult
To be in high spirits; figuratively, to leap for joy; to rejoice in triumph or exceedingly; to triumph; as, an exulting heart.
The dumb shall sing, the lame his crutch forego,And leap exulting like the bounding roe.
Exalt
(transitive) To honor; to hold in high esteem.
They exalted their queen.
Exult
Feel extreme happiness or elation
Exalt
(transitive) To raise in rank, status etc., to elevate.
The man was exalted from a humble carpenter to a minister.
Exult
To express great joy;
Who cannot exult in Spring?
Exalt
(transitive) To elate, or fill with the joy of success.
Exult
Take special pleasure in.
He exulted in his unexpected victory at the competition.
Exalt
To refine or subtilize.
Exalt
To raise high; to elevate; to lift up.
I will exalt my throne above the stars of God.
Exalt thy towery head, and lift thine eyes
Exalt
To elevate in rank, dignity, power, wealth, character, or the like; to dignify; to promote; as, to exalt a prince to the throne, a citizen to the presidency.
Righteousness exalteth a nation.
He that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
Exalt
To elevate by prise or estimation; to magnify; to extol; to glorify.
In his own grace he doth exalt himself.
Exalt
To lift up with joy, pride, or success; to inspire with delight or satisfaction; to elate.
They who thought they got whatsoever he lost were mightily exalted.
Exalt
To elevate the tone of, as of the voice or a musical instrument.
Now Mars, she said, let Fame exalt her voice.
Exalt
To render pure or refined; to intensify or concentrate; as, to exalt the juices of bodies.
With chemic art exalts the mineral powers.
Exalt
Praise, glorify, or honor;
Extol the virtues of one's children
Glorify one's spouse's cooking
Exalt
Fill with sublime emotion; tickle pink (exhilarate is obsolete in this usage);
The children were thrilled at the prospect of going to the movies
He was inebriated by his phenomenal success
Exalt
Heighten or intensify;
These paintings exalt the imagination
Exalt
Raise in rank, character, or status;
Exalted the humble shoemaker to the rank of King's adviser
Exalt
Glorify or honor.
Many religions exalt their deities with songs and prayers.
Common Curiosities
Are "Exalt" and "Exult" interchangeable?
No, "Exalt" means to elevate in rank or praise, while "Exult" means to rejoice.
Can "Exalt" be used to refer to objects?
Yes, objects can be exalted, often meaning they're held in high regard or elevated.
Can a group of people exult?
Yes, a group can exult, like fans after a game win.
Can a leader be both exalted and exult?
Yes, a leader can be exalted (promoted) and then exult (rejoice) over it.
Are there noun forms of "Exalt" and "Exult"?
Yes, "exaltation" for "Exalt" and "exultation" for "Exult".
Which is more commonly used, "Exalt" or "Exult"?
"Exalt" is more commonly used, but context determines the right choice.
Do both words have religious connotations?
Yes, "Exalt" can mean to glorify a deity, and "Exult" can mean to rejoice in one's faith.
What's the opposite of "Exult"?
Opposites include "mourn" or "lament".
Is "Exult" only used for personal achievements?
No, one can exult over others' achievements or simply good news.
Can a person be exalted against their will?
While a person can be promoted or honored, feeling "exalted" is subjective.
Can "Exalt" refer to intensifying something?
Yes, like when flavors in a dish are enhanced or exalted.
Can "Exult" be used without a reason?
Typically, exulting implies a reason for joy, even if not explicitly stated.
Are there antonyms for "Exalt"?
Yes, antonyms include "belittle" and "degrade".
Is "Exult" always a positive emotion?
Typically, yes, as it pertains to joy or jubilation.
What's a synonym for "Exalt"?
A synonym is "glorify". For "Exult", a synonym is "rejoice".
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
