intoxicate

verb

in-ˈtäk-sə-ˌkāt How to pronounce intoxicate (audio)
Definition of intoxicatenext
1
as in to excite
to cause a pleasurable stimulation of the feelings the stunning spectacle of this Las Vegas show is sure to intoxicate spectators

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to delight
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

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 intoxicate In some cases, investigators can more readily determine whether a driver was highly intoxicated by alcohol. — Dillon Thomas, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026 One increased the probation term for anyone convicted of vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated. — Alula Alderson, Sacbee.com, 5 Oct. 2026 About a month after the incident, Soenen said she was assaulted again at an off-campus party while heavily intoxicated. — Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2026 In the tents erected in Munich for Oktoberfest, the atmosphere can be intoxicating enough without the alcohol. — Erik Kirschbaum, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for intoxicate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for intoxicate
  1. excite
  2. delight
  3. thrill
  4. elate
  5. electrify
  6. enrapture
Verb
  • Recent developments, such as Meta's Muse personal agent app and its latest proprietary foundation model, Muse Wonder, released earlier this week, have begun to excite investors who are optimistic about new AI business opportunities.
    — Kif Leswing,Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026
  • And, continuing their hot streak, Celine and Chanel have buyers excited about next season’s ready-to-wear and accessory sales.
    — Madeleine Schulz, Vogue, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of excite
Verb
  • The Nespresso devotee in your life will delight at the chance to try a different classic or limited-edition coffee capsule every day in the lead-up to Christmas.
    — Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Tse Yang was the finest Chinese restaurant to open in Madrid, and its crispy Peking Duck has been delighting locals for years.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of delight
Verb
  • For me, getting to explore the interior lives of women with a rejection towards society’s pressure to have to uphold some false perfection — that’s really thrilling for me as an artist.
    — Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The Sinners actress was captured bringing the biggest fan energy in the stands as Allen helped lead Buffalo to a thrilling 37-34 overtime win at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on Monday.
    — Alicia Urrea, Billboard, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of thrill
Verb
  • There were decisions that would elate or devastate players.
    — Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 24 May 2026
  • This helped convince the administration to shift to their side, elating students, especially Simpson.
    — Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026
Definition of elate
Verb
  • There are other ways to discover rebates and financial incentives to electrify your home by zip code, region, and through state programs.
    — Molly McCrea, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Hicks drove the next pitch to right-center for a 3-0 lead, electrifying the towel-waving, cowbell-ringing crowd of 32,125 fans at Tropicana Field.
    — Rob Maaddi, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of electrify
Verb
  • Lee, enraptured, sensed that a transfiguration was happening.
    — E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
  • And the noise that this is making is something that is a cacophony of the world enraptured.
    — Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 17 July 2026
Definition of enrapture

Browse Nearby Words

intoxicants
intoxicate
intoxicated
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Intoxicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intoxicate. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of fervid

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All