adrenaline rush

[uh-dren-l-in ruhsh]

noun

1. a sudden, intense feeling of exhilaration or excitement caused by or as if by a surge of adrenaline.

   It's the adrenaline rush and the intensity of the competition that I most look forward to.

   These folks eat, breathe, and sleep roller coasters and can never get enough of an adrenaline rush.

Word History and Origins

Origin of adrenaline rush¹

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

The adrenaline rush, they argue, keeps their brains sharp.

From Los Angeles Times

It was a massive adrenaline rush.

From BBC

During peaks in the game - like a nail-biting penalty shootout - the adrenaline rush, or fight or flight response, prepares the body for action, says Dr David Crepaz-Keay, Head of Research and Applied Learning at the Mental Health Foundation.

From BBC

Our collective attention span isn’t what it used to be and the adrenaline rush unleashed by crisis, real or observed, can create a desire to keep replicating it.

From Los Angeles Times

And I’d be lying if I said I didn’t miss it — I love my adrenaline rush as much as the next person.

From Los Angeles Times