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 He was found to be too intoxicated to care for himself and had multiple outstanding warrants. Anne Gelhaus, The Mercury News, 22 Oct. 2024 Long speeches The night went smoothly until lengthy speeches from Peter Frampton, Ahmet Ertegun Award winner Suzanne de Passe, A Tribe Called Quest and a seemingly intoxicated Dr. Dre made caffeine necessary. Troy Smith, Axios, 21 Oct. 2024 James Cox was jailed on a preliminary intoxicated driving charge along with one count of endangering a passenger under 18, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department announced Monday in a news release. Sarah Nelson, The Indianapolis Star, 7 Oct. 2024 He initially was charged with first-degree reckless homicide, knowingly operating a vehicle without consent and a valid license, and homicide by intoxicated use of vehicle. Chris Ramirez, Journal Sentinel, 16 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for intoxicated 

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 31 Oct. 2024.

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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