intoxicate
Americanverb (used with object)
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to affect temporarily with diminished physical and mental control by means of alcoholic liquor, a drug, or another substance, especially to excite or stupefy with liquor.
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to make enthusiastic; elate strongly, as by intoxicants; exhilarate.
The prospect of success intoxicated him.
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Pathology. to poison.
verb (used without object)
adjective
verb
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(of an alcoholic drink) to produce in (a person) a state ranging from euphoria to stupor, usually accompanied by loss of inhibitions and control; make drunk; inebriate
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to stimulate, excite, or elate so as to overwhelm
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(of a drug) to poison
Other Word Forms
- intoxicable adjective
- intoxicative adjective
- intoxicator noun
Etymology
Origin of intoxicate
1375–1425; late Middle English < Medieval Latin intoxicātus, past participle of intoxicāre to poison. See in- 2, toxic, -ate 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
To actually feel intoxicated, a chimp would need to eat so much fruit that its stomach would become painfully distended.
From Science Daily
Mr. Chacko, intoxicated at the time, proceeded to get behind the wheel and drive away, going northbound on New York Interstate 87, New York State Police said.
From Washington Times
It was a big break on a momentous night that only got more intoxicating as it went on.
From BBC
The first setback came in the form of a literal punch thrown in 2014 by former officer Adley Shepherd, who slugged an intoxicated, handcuffed woman while trying to arrest her on suspicion of domestic violence.
From Seattle Times
Ingesting THC either through smoking, vaporizing or edibles can make people feel euphoric, relaxed, sleepy, giggly and otherwise intoxicated.
From Salon
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
