intoxicated

adjective

in·​tox·​i·​cat·​ed in-ˈtäk-sə-ˌkā-təd How to pronounce intoxicated (audio)
Synonyms of intoxicatednext
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
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.
This isn't the first time an intoxicated passenger interrupted air travel in the region. Marina Watts, PEOPLE, 2 Jan. 2026 During a Wednesday news conference, police Chief Daniel Comeaux warned against random gunfire, fireworks and intoxicated driving, noting that the department responded to 865 calls related to celebratory gunfire last New Year’s Eve. Everton Bailey Jr, Dallas Morning News, 1 Jan. 2026 Armando Hernandez-Benitez, 20, was charged with vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and multiple counts of drunk driving in the March 7 crash. Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 24 Dec. 2025 Some federal Republican lawmakers have remained opposed to rescheduling, pointing to health concerns, worries about intoxicated driving, and worker absenteeism. Ricky Sayer, CBS News, 19 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for intoxicated

Word History

First Known Use

1576, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of intoxicated was in 1576

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Cite this Entry

“Intoxicated.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intoxicated. Accessed 3 Jan. 2026.

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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