intoxicated

adjective

in·​tox·​i·​cat·​ed in-ˈtäk-sə-ˌkā-təd How to pronounce intoxicated (audio)
1
: affected by alcohol or drugs especially to the point where physical and mental control is markedly diminished
especially : drunk
2
: emotionally excited, elated, or exhilarated (as by great joy or extreme pleasure)
… the traveler who has become intoxicated by the vision of Serengeti's exotic animals …Harold Hayes
intoxicatedly adverb

Examples of intoxicated in a Sentence

He appeared to be very intoxicated. Driving while intoxicated is illegal.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Thomas most recently spent 2020 to 2023 incarcerated for driving while intoxicated and harassment of a public servant, a third-degree felony, according to Texas Department of Public Safety records. Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 8 July 2025 Very intoxicated individuals may experience vomiting, loss of consciousness or even dangerously slowed breathing. Jesse Pines, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025 Participating enforcement agencies will target intoxicated boaters and drivers July 4-6 as part of the effort. Brad Dokken, Twin Cities, 3 July 2025 Mom had 2 arrests for alleged drunken driving Within about a day of talking to the caseworker, on July 2, 2023, Hannah Johnson was arrested in Logan County, Ohio, on a misdemeanor driving while intoxicated charge. Kevin Grasha, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for intoxicated

Word History

First Known Use

1576, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of intoxicated was in 1576

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Cite this Entry

“Intoxicated.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intoxicated. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.

Medical Definition

intoxicated

adjective
in·​tox·​i·​cat·​ed -sə-ˌkāt-əd How to pronounce intoxicated (audio)
: affected by an intoxicant and especially by alcohol

More from Merriam-Webster on intoxicated

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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