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

Example Sentences

He appeared to be very intoxicated. Driving while intoxicated is illegal.
Recent Examples on the Web English walked toward the Alaska Mental Health Consumer Web and Anchorage Safety Patrol was dispatched to the area because it was reported that an intoxicated man was outside, the affidavit said. Tess Williams, Anchorage Daily News, 24 May 2023 Three of his friends had been run over and killed in their tents by an intoxicated driver who swerved onto the sidewalk. Eli Saslow Erin Schaff, New York Times, 13 May 2023 Dogs have been documented licking toads, becoming intoxicated and repeating the behavior. Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Apr. 2023 In another case, O'Connor allegedly brought an intoxicated male teen into a bedroom where a drunk 14-year-old girl was lying in bed. Kc Baker, Peoplemag, 24 Apr. 2023 The driver of the Pontiac, a 20-year-old West Allis man, was taken to the hospital and was placed under arrest for suspicion of homicide by intoxicated use of a motor vehicle. Bob Dohr, Journal Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2023 The 42-year-old Westlake resident appeared intoxicated and was field tested. cleveland, 30 Dec. 2022 Midfield Police Chief Jesse Bell said the officer received a call about a person sitting at a traffic light and possibly asleep and intoxicated. Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, 7 May 2023 Oropesa has a prior conviction in Montgomery County, Texas, for driving while intoxicated and was sentenced to serve time in jail for the offense. Gina Martinez, CBS News, 2 May 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'intoxicated.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1576, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of intoxicated was in 1576

Dictionary Entries Near intoxicated

Cite this Entry

“Intoxicated.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intoxicated. Accessed 8 Jun. 2023.

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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