intoxicated

1 of 2

adjective

in·​tox·​i·​cat·​ed in-ˈtäk-sə-ˌkā-təd 

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

in-ˈtäk-sə-ˌkā-təd-lē 

adverb

intoxicated

2 of 2

past tense and past participle of intoxicate entry 1

Synonyms of intoxicated

Adjective

• drunk
• drunken
• impaired

Examples of intoxicated in a Sentence

Adjective

He appeared to be very intoxicated.

Driving while intoxicated is illegal.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The lawsuit also accuses Moonies of unlawfully selling alcohol to an intoxicated person or minor. — Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 28 Sep. 2026

Mendiola was heavily intoxicated and uncooperative when deputies arrested him, the report states. — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2026

Texas also suspended linebackers coach and co-defensive coordinator Johnny Nansen for the game after his arrest on a misdemeanor driving while intoxicated charge. — ABC News, 19 Sep. 2026

The defense says Bickham was touching passengers' purses, appeared intoxicated and smelled of alcohol. — Marissa Sulek, CBS News, 19 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1576, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for intoxicated

• abbreviated
• accelerated
• accentuated
• accommodated
• acculturated
• accumulated
• acidulated
• adjudicated
• administrated
• adulterated
• affiliated
• agglomerated

Medical Definition

intoxicated

adjective

in·​tox·​i·​cat·​ed -sə-ˌkāt-əd 

: affected by an intoxicant and especially by alcohol