Exult vs. Exalt – Which is Correct?

While both are valid English verbs, exult and exalt have distinct meanings. Exult means to show triumphant joy or elation, often openly. Exalt means to raise someone or something in rank, power, or character, or to praise highly. Understanding this key difference is crucial for precise communication.

Exult or Exalt – Which is Correct?

Both “exult” and “exalt” are correct verbs in the English language, but they are not interchangeable. Their primary distinction lies in the type of elevation or feeling they describe. Exult refers to the expression of intense, triumphant joy or elation. It’s about feeling and showing great happiness, often after a victory or success. Think of it as an internal feeling bubbling over into an outward display of cheer.

On the other hand, exalt means to raise in rank, power, or character, or to praise highly. It implies an act of lifting something or someone up, either literally (in status) or figuratively (through praise and admiration). It’s an external action directed towards someone or something, rather than an internal emotional state.

The Best Trick to Remember the Difference

A simple trick to remember the difference is to associate the vowels with their core meanings:

• Exult (with a “U”): Think of “Understandable Joy” or “Unbounded Happiness.” The “U” can also remind you of a cheer or a “woo-hoo!” sound, reflecting the outward expression of joy.
• Exalt (with an “A”): Think of “Ascend” or “Admiration.” The “A” helps you remember the act of raising or praising something to a higher level.

Word	Part of Speech	Meaning	Example
Exult	Verb	To show or feel triumphant joy or elation; to rejoice.	The fans began to exult as their team scored the winning goal in the final seconds.
Exalt	Verb	To raise in rank, power, or character; to praise highly; to glorify.	The villagers would exalt their brave leader for his unwavering courage.

How to Use Exult

To “exult” means to feel or show triumphant elation or jubilation. It conveys a strong sense of joy, often expressed openly, especially after a success, victory, or relief from a difficult situation. The tone is typically one of celebration and triumph.

Example 1: After years of hard work, she began to exult when she received her acceptance letter to her dream university.

Example 2: The crowd would exult with every point their favorite player scored, their cheers echoing through the stadium.

Example 3: Despite the challenges, they continued to exult in their small victories, finding strength in their progress.

What are the different forms of Exult?

“Exult” is a regular verb. Its forms follow standard conjugation rules:

• Base form: exult
• Past tense: exulted
• Past participle: exulted
• Present participle: exulting
• Third-person singular present: exults

Etymology of the word Exult

The word “exult” comes from the Latin exsultare, meaning “to leap up, to jump for joy.” This root perfectly captures the essence of the word: a physical manifestation of overwhelming happiness or triumph. It entered English in the late 15th century.

How to Use Exalt

To “exalt” means to raise someone or something to a higher rank, power, or character, or to praise someone highly. It can also mean to glorify or magnify. The tone is often formal and reverent, implying respect, admiration, or elevation.

Example 1: The king decided to exalt his most loyal knight, granting him a new title and lands.

Example 2: Many religious texts exalt virtues such as kindness and compassion.

Example 3: Critics often exalt the director’s early works as masterpieces of cinema.

What are the different forms of Exalt?

“Exalt” is a regular verb. Its forms follow standard conjugation rules:

• Base form: exalt
• Past tense: exalted
• Past participle: exalted
• Present participle: exalting
• Third-person singular present: exalts

Etymology of the word Exalt

“Exalt” originates from the Latin exaltare, which means “to raise high.” This word itself is derived from ex- (“out, upward”) and altus (“high”). It entered English in the late 14th century, reflecting its meaning of physical or metaphorical elevation.

Related Concepts

Understanding broader linguistic concepts can further clarify the distinction between “exult” and “exalt” and prevent common errors.

• Verbs of Emotion vs. Verbs of Action: “Exult” primarily describes an emotion or the outward expression of that emotion (joy), making it a verb of feeling. “Exalt,” on the other hand, describes an action of raising or praising, making it a verb of action directed externally.
• Homophones/Near Homophones: While not true homophones, “exult” and “exalt” are often confused due to their similar sound and spelling. Recognizing them as distinct words with separate meanings, rather than variations of the same word, is key.

Examples from Media and Literature

• “They had come to exult, to cheer, to make merry in the face of their enemies.” – From a historical novel describing a victorious army.
• “The choir began to exalt the Lord with powerful hymns, filling the cathedral with sound.” – Describing a religious ceremony.
• “It is not enough to simply win; one must also know how to exult in the victory with grace.” – From a motivational speech.
• “The critics exalted her debut performance, hailing her as the next big star.” – From a news review.
• “He found himself exulting in the quiet solitude of the forest, far from the city’s clamor.” – Describing a personal moment of joy.

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

1. The entire nation began to ________ after their underdog team won the championship.
2. The community gathered to ________ the virtues of their founder.
3. She couldn’t help but ________ in her success after years of dedication.
4. The ancient texts often ________ the sun god as the giver of life.
5. When the news broke, the investors began to ________ over their unexpected profits.

Answer Key

1. exult
2. exalt
3. exult
4. exalt
5. exult

Exult Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Rejoice	To feel or show great joy or delight.
Triumph	To achieve a victory or success; to celebrate a victory.
Jubilate	To express great joy and triumph.
Gloating	To dwell on one’s own success or another’s misfortune with smugness or malignant pleasure (can be a negative connotation of exulting).

Exalt Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Praise	To express warm approval or admiration of.
Glorify	To praise and worship (God or a deity); to honor or extol.
Elevate	To raise or lift up to a higher position or level.
Venerate	To regard with great respect; revere.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Can “exult” and “exalt” ever be used in the same context?
No, while both involve a form of “lifting up,” they refer to different things. You might “exult” over a victory, and “exalt” the person who achieved it, but the actions themselves are distinct.

Question 2: Is one word more formal than the other?
Both words are considered relatively formal. “Exalt” often carries a more solemn or reverent tone, especially when referring to praise or spiritual elevation. “Exult” is also formal but describes a more energetic, joyous expression.

Question 3: Are “exult” and “exalt” related to “exultant” and “exalted”?
Yes, “exultant” is the adjective form of “exult,” meaning feeling or expressing great triumph or joy. “Exalted” is the adjective form of “exalt,” meaning placed at a high or powerful level; held in high regard.

Conclusion

While “exult” and “exalt” sound similar, their meanings are distinctly different. Exult is about expressing triumphant joy, often after a success, while exalt is about raising something or someone in status or praising them highly. Remembering the simple trick of associating “U” with “Understandable Joy” and “A” with “Ascension” or “Admiration” can help solidify their differences.

Pro Tip: Using these words correctly demonstrates a keen understanding of nuanced English, enhancing your credibility and ensuring your message is precisely understood. Avoid confusing them to maintain clarity in your writing and speech.