Exothermic is defined as a chemical reaction that releases heat energy. Some common synonyms of exothermic include: exergonic, heat-releasing, heat-producing, exoergic. Other synonyms that describe the same process but with different scientific language include: exothermal, thermogenic, exoceptive, and thermal. Each of these words is used to describe scientific processes that release heat energy, but some may be more commonly used in certain fields of study such as chemistry or physics. Regardless of which word is used, they all describe the same fundamental process of energy release through chemical reactions.