under the influence

phrase

: affected by alcohol or drug intoxication

was arrested for driving under the influence

Examples of under the influence in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Occasionally, employees steal those drugs and are under the influence while caring for patients. — Alexandra Byrne, STAT, 25 Aug. 2026

In 2014, the commissioner suspended the late Jim Irsay, then the Indianapolis Colts owner, for six games and fined him $500,000 after Irsay pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of operating a vehicle while under the influence. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 24 Aug. 2026

The charges against Sweeney include motor vehicle homicide, operating under the influence of liquor and speeding. — Paul Burton, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026

For example, always wear a seatbelt (no matter how short the ride), don’t text and drive, skip the tailgating, and never get behind the wheel under the influence. — Molly Burford, Southern Living, 22 Aug. 2026