as in breathtaking
causing great emotional or mental stimulation
naive, young men who had once regarded the thought of going off to war as an intoxicating notion
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in thrilling
to cause a pleasurable stimulation of the feelings
the stunning spectacle of this Las Vegas show is sure to intoxicate spectators
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in exciting
to fill with great joy
she was intoxicated by the news that she'd gotten the job of her dreams
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of intoxicating
Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026
The hemp industry arose from the 2018 Farm Bill that legalized non-intoxicating hemp, but also allowed intoxicating derivative cannabinoids such as delta-8-, delta-9 and delta-10 THC.
—Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 27 Jan. 2026
Sometimes just the idea of a planner—that one little book could solve all your executive-function issues—can be more intoxicating than the thing itself.
—Hilton Als, New Yorker, 16 Jan. 2026
But even for organisms that have adapted to consume petroleum, the frequency and severity of spills are too intoxicating.
—Kylie Williams, Miami Herald, 29 Nov. 2025
McConnell's intent in 2018 was to legalize hemp production, as the plant can be used to make dozens of non-intoxicating products such as rope and clothing.
—Lucas Aulbach, Louisville Courier Journal, 11 Nov. 2025
Maybe this will be too intoxicating to leave behind.
—Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
The most intoxicating possibility, however, is fusion.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 24 Sep. 2025
Olta whisky is an intoxicating, 80-proof unicorn.
—Allyson Reedy, Denver Post, 24 Sep. 2025
Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2026
Doing so while depriving a great rival of a piece of history is an intoxicating combination — for both players.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026
The sexy speculation, the intoxicating scent of maybe.
—Greg Cote
january 30, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2026
Lawmakers in both chambers of Congress have already introduced legislation to keep intoxicating hemp products legal until 2028.
—Brandon Gomez, CNBC, 27 Jan. 2026
In early November, Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell added an amendment to the Agriculture Appropriations section of the minibus spending bill to re-open the federal government, ending the longest shutdown in history, to effectively ban the $28 billion intoxicating hemp industry.
—Will Yakowicz, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
But through no fault of the actress, the film starts to sag as Erika morphs from intoxicating vixen to deceitfully manipulative monster.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 24 Jan. 2026
Separate bills to ban the use, possession, sale or consumption of those intoxicating substances advanced out of a Senate committee on Wednesday, but the committee voted to send them to the Senate floor with no recommendation, rather than a recommendation to pass them.
—John Hult, States Newsroom, 23 Jan. 2026
In addition to the manslaughter charges, Hackling faces three counts each of first-degree reckless operation of a vessel while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs and second-degree reckless operation of a vessel.
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
What makes Bridgerton so intoxicating?
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026
The hemp industry arose from the 2018 Farm Bill that legalized non-intoxicating hemp, but also allowed intoxicating derivative cannabinoids such as delta-8-, delta-9 and delta-10 THC.
—Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 27 Jan. 2026
Sometimes just the idea of a planner—that one little book could solve all your executive-function issues—can be more intoxicating than the thing itself.
—Hilton Als, New Yorker, 16 Jan. 2026
But even for organisms that have adapted to consume petroleum, the frequency and severity of spills are too intoxicating.
—Kylie Williams, Miami Herald, 29 Nov. 2025
McConnell's intent in 2018 was to legalize hemp production, as the plant can be used to make dozens of non-intoxicating products such as rope and clothing.
—Lucas Aulbach, Louisville Courier Journal, 11 Nov. 2025
Maybe this will be too intoxicating to leave behind.
—Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
The most intoxicating possibility, however, is fusion.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 24 Sep. 2025
Olta whisky is an intoxicating, 80-proof unicorn.
—Allyson Reedy, Denver Post, 24 Sep. 2025
Verb
The ordinance is presented as a regulatory framework for intoxicating hemp products in Chicago.
—Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2026
Doing so while depriving a great rival of a piece of history is an intoxicating combination — for both players.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026
The sexy speculation, the intoxicating scent of maybe.
—Greg Cote
january 30, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2026
Lawmakers in both chambers of Congress have already introduced legislation to keep intoxicating hemp products legal until 2028.
—Brandon Gomez, CNBC, 27 Jan. 2026
In early November, Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell added an amendment to the Agriculture Appropriations section of the minibus spending bill to re-open the federal government, ending the longest shutdown in history, to effectively ban the $28 billion intoxicating hemp industry.
—Will Yakowicz, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
But through no fault of the actress, the film starts to sag as Erika morphs from intoxicating vixen to deceitfully manipulative monster.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 24 Jan. 2026
Separate bills to ban the use, possession, sale or consumption of those intoxicating substances advanced out of a Senate committee on Wednesday, but the committee voted to send them to the Senate floor with no recommendation, rather than a recommendation to pass them.
—John Hult, States Newsroom, 23 Jan. 2026
In addition to the manslaughter charges, Hackling faces three counts each of first-degree reckless operation of a vessel while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs and second-degree reckless operation of a vessel.
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 21 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for intoxicating
Adjective
-
Set the scene After taking a breathtaking ride through sweeping mountaintops on the Gornergrat Railway, Europe's highest open-air cogwheel railway, guests arrive in Andermatt—a fairly sleepy Swiss town.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 Jan. 2026
-
That breathtaking pace makes the recent deadly crash between two high-speed trains in Spain even more alarming.—
Ben Jones,
CNN Money,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Cole Caufield served notice that Team USA made a grave mistake leaving him off the Olympic team, but Morgan Geekie’s deuce trumped the brilliant Montreal Canadiens forward’s hat trick in the Bruins’ thrilling come-from-behind 4-3 win at TD Garden on Saturday night.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
25 Jan. 2026
-
The Bears, coming off a thrilling victory against the Green Bay Packers, were preparing to play a second postseason game at Soldier Field for a chance at the NFC championship.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
For Harrington and her husband Dante, the thought of triplets was shocking but exciting all the same.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
This new process, the researchers explain, could offer interesting options for keeping energy-hungry data centers cool.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
1 Feb. 2026
-
The game was a blowout early but got interesting late.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Thanks to years of work by UNITE HERE, the Las Vegas Strip is now 100 percent union, and the United Auto Workers notched an electrifying victory in Chattanooga, Tennessee when workers at the Volkswagen factory voted to unionize.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
-
In the performance scenes, Beastie Boys stand out for being an electrifying mix of hip-hop and hard rock.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Sound routines, sound tennis mind Pegula says that travelling all over the globe as a part of the WTA’s tour season is exhilarating on a day-to-day basis, but can be tiring over the long haul.—
Andy Frye,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Fresh initiative surges as exhilarating Mars soars into your sign, inviting you to set the pace and show your authentic style.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Two new restaurants recently landed in the Public Market Emeryville, an ever-changing food court in the tiny but intriguing city.—
John Metcalfe,
Mercury News,
26 Jan. 2026
-
At 6-1, 205 pounds, Nussmeier is an intriguing NFL prospect.—
Antwan Staley,
New York Daily News,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Intoxicating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intoxicating. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
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