as in drunk
being under the influence of alcohol
those inebriate sports fans who yell and scream throughout the game
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in alcoholic
a person who makes a habit of getting drunk
having performed in countless bars and clubs, the stand-up comedian was used to being heckled by inebriates in the back of the house
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of inebriate
Dennis Harvey, Variety, 30 July 2023
The money covers additional shelter beds, more street outreach, rapid rehousing, safe parking and the serial inebriate program.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 June 2023
Charles McNulty, latimes.com, 10 May 2018
The group proposed extending the winter shelter through May, boosting treatment for serial inebriates and reporting all homeless incidents and issues to a single coordinator.
—Jeff McDonald, sandiegouniontribune.com, 1 Oct. 2017
See All Example Sentences for inebriate
Adjective
Or simply to help other individuals in dire straits — like the widow (Whitney Morgan Cox) and daughter (Veda Cienfuegos) of that inebriate driver, their current plight worsened by the bankruptcy brought on by a Bernie Madoff-like financial predator?
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 30 July 2023
The money covers additional shelter beds, more street outreach, rapid rehousing, safe parking and the serial inebriate program.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 June 2023
Noun
One of American drama's most intriguing case studies, Hickey is the hardware salesman who returns to his old tawdry haunt not on one of his periodic benders but on a mission to reform the resident inebriates of their belief in a better tomorrow.
—Charles McNulty, latimes.com, 10 May 2018
The group proposed extending the winter shelter through May, boosting treatment for serial inebriates and reporting all homeless incidents and issues to a single coordinator.
—Jeff McDonald, sandiegouniontribune.com, 1 Oct. 2017
See All Example Sentences for inebriate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inebriate
Adjective
-
Reading Cassandra’s voice is like reading The Bell Jar’s Esther if Esther were drunk on brandy half the time.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Jan. 2026
-
As thousands of medical caregivers walked off the job Monday in what became the largest nurses’ strike in New York City history, officials at a major hospital accused the nurses’ union of making unreasonable demands — including protections for nurses who come to work drunk or high.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Cornish was an alcoholic and had dealt with depression and suicidal ideation for decades, Ellis said.—
Alex Brizee,
Idaho Statesman,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Then Whitney calls me an alcoholic.—
Addie Morfoot,
Variety,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
That is one of many problems that Zara and Luke go on to dodge, including dead-ends, dead bodies and a drunken mom.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
23 Jan. 2026
-
In 2025, he was twice arrested for drunken driving, with both arrests resulting in a conviction on a charge of first-offense drunken driving.—
Clark Kauffman,
Des Moines Register,
21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The very young, very old and those with impaired temperature perception or regulation face the highest risks.—
Jesse Pines,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Traffic deaths in Colorado increased in 2025, reversing a decline in recent years, with about one in three deaths related to impaired driving, according to state data released Thursday.—
Bruce Finley,
Denver Post,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The pieces toast up crisp, but when served over warm soup, channel the gooeyness promised from the center of a fried slab.—
Rebecca Firkser,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The menu, created by chef Pierre Gagnaire, is a lesson in classic French brasserie cuisine with sophisticated touches—an ideal meal starts with escargots simmering in garlicky butter from Burgundy, continues with pan-fried foie gras, and wraps up with crêpes Suzette flambéd table-side.—
Caitlin Gunther,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Just look at Serena Williams’ wet waves and Kerry Washington’s braids.—
Essence,
Essence,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Hydroplaning is the term for when a vehicle begins sliding uncontrollably on wet roads.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inebriate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inebriate. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
