✅ Thrilling describes something that causes you to feel a sudden strong emotion, like fear or excitement (a thrilling plot).

✅ Rousing describes something that is exciting—something that fascinates and enthralls you (a rousing campaign).

✅ Both of these words describe things that might be exciting or especially interesting. They usually describe things like movies or books but can also describe a person’s personality, behavior, or conversation (He was a thrilling speaker; They were a rousing player on the field).

✅ Instinctual describes something that happens due to instinct or as if from instinct (an instinctual fear of fire).

✅ Involuntary describes something that is unintentional or that happens unconsciously (an involuntary wince).

✅ Both these terms describe things that happen without conscious thought. Instinctual suggests unthinking responses that could be shared by others (It’s instinctual to run when being chased).

✅ Involuntary is more general and suggests any kind of unconscious response (I couldn’t stop my palms from sweating when I was called on by the teacher, it was completely involuntary).

✅ Resolute describes someone or something that shows firmness and determination (She was resolute in her decision).

✅ Staunch describes someone or something that shows firmness, steadfastness, and loyalty (He was a staunch defender of his favorite celebrity).

✅ Resolute and staunch both can be used to describe determination and a strong, self-possessed attitude.

✅ Staunch primarily implies loyalty, whereas resolute primarily implies determination and strength of mind.