addicted

adjective

|Updated on: 7 Jul 2018

Definition of addicted

: having an addiction: such as

a : having a compulsive physiological need for a habit forming substance (such as a drug)

addicted to heroin

b : strongly inclined or compelled to do, use, or indulge in something repeatedly

addicted to chocolate

addicted to (watching) soap operas

See addicted defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of addicted from the Web

For babies born addicted to opioids, hospitals recruit volunteer cuddlers Then come the months and years of wondering what effects opioids will have on their babies.

— rita giordano, Philly.com, "Love in the time of opioids: Adoption connects drug-exposed kids with new families," 7 May 2018
Powers Hannley said she's also troubled that the bill doesn't distinguish between babies who are born exposed to drugs versus those addicted to drugs.

— mary jo pitzl, The Republic | azcentral.com, "Ducey signs bill to cut off parents' rights to drug-exposed babies after one year," 5 Apr. 2018
Dave’s passion for life was evident as a loving husband, doting father & grandfather, a fierce adversary in the courtroom, an avid and accomplished duplicate bridge player and was addicted to all sports Gators.

— orlando sentinel, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Deaths in Central Florida: 6/3," 3 June 2018
Many people becoming addicted to prescription opioids before switching to heroin or deadlier synthetic drugs such as fentanyl; some start with illicit drugs.

— Washington Post, "Opioid trials to begin in 2019 as settlement is also pushed," 12 Apr. 2018
The drug reduces cravings for opioids, prevents overdoses, and helps sustain recovery, yet a minority of physicians are certified to prescribe it, and fewer than half of opioid-addicted people have access to it.

— felice j. freyer, BostonGlobe.com, "Neighborhood Health Plan to encourage prescribing of anti-addiction medication," 18 May 2018
Behind nearly every adult who is accused of a crime, becomes addicted to drugs or alcohol, or who is severely mentally ill and acting out in public, there is usually at least one extremely stressed-out parent.

— Courant Community, "Community News For The Windsor Edition," 8 May 2018
Most are not stereotypical homeless junkies, but regular folks – including lots of baby boomers – who have become addicted to their prescription painkillers.

— joyce wiswell for the knee institute, Detroit Free Press, "Opioids: Hardly a “pain-free” solution," 25 Apr. 2018
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was not convinced that Congress was addicted to term extensions.

— lawrence lessig, WIRED, "Congress' Latest Move to Extend Copyright Protection Is Misguided," 18 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'addicted.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.