muted-exultation
/ˌmjuː.tɪd ˌɛɡ.zʌlˈteɪ.ʃən/ IELTSAcademic
noun
A strong feeling of joy or triumph that is kept quiet or not fully shown. It is more restrained than open celebration.
- She smiled in muted exultation.
- There was muted exultation after the team won.
- His voice showed muted exultation.
Adinary Nuance
Muted exultation is not the same as simple happiness. It is closer to quiet triumph, restrained joy, or private delight, but it feels more intense than calm satisfaction. Writers use it when someone is very pleased, yet stays controlled or silent.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- niềm vui thầm lặng
- Spanish
- júbilo contenido
- Chinese
- 压抑的喜悦
- Japanese
- 抑えた歓喜
- Korean
- 절제된 기쁨
Etymology
This phrase combines “muted,” from Latin through French, meaning softened or made less loud, and “exultation,” from Latin exsultare, meaning to leap for joy. It is a modern English phrase rather than a fixed old word.
Common phrases
a look of muted exultationwith muted exultationfeel muted exultation
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is muted exultation formal or literary?
- It is more literary and descriptive than everyday speech. You may see it in writing, journalism, or essays.
- How is muted exultation different from happiness?
- Happiness is broader and milder. Muted exultation suggests a stronger joy that is held back.
- Can I use muted exultation in business writing?
- Usually no, unless you are writing a creative or reflective piece. It sounds too literary for most business texts.