(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
2.
to stimulate, excite, or elate so as to overwhelm
3.
(of a drug) to poison
Derived forms
intoxicable (inˈtoxicable)
adjective
intoxicative (inˈtoxiˌcative)
adjective
intoxicator (inˈtoxiˌcator)
noun
Word origin
C16: from Medieval Latin, from intoxicāre to poison, from Latin toxicum poison; see toxic
intoxicate in American English
(ɪnˈtɑksɪˌkeɪt)
verb transitiveWord forms: inˈtoxiˌcated or inˈtoxiˌcating
1.
to affect the nervous system of, so as to cause a loss of control; make drunk; stupefy; inebriate
said of alcoholic liquor or a drug
2.
to excite to a point beyond self-control; make wild with excitement or happiness
3. Medicine
to poison or have a poisonous effect on
SIMILAR WORDS: drunk
Word origin
< ML intoxicatus, pp. of intoxicare, to poison, drug < L in-, in + toxicare, to smear with poison < toxicum, poison: see toxic
Synonyms of 'intoxicate'
go to your head, inebriate, stupefy, befuddle
exhilarate, excite, stimulate, inflame
More Synonyms of intoxicate
1 (verb)
Definition
(of an alcoholic drink) to make (a person) drunk
He drank enough lager to intoxicate an army base.
Synonyms
go to your head
That wine was strong, it went to your head.
inebriate
The rum was not the only thing inebriating him.
stupefy
befuddle
He liked to befuddle his readers.
fuddle
put (someone) under the table (informal)
2 (verb)
Definition
to stimulate or excite to a point beyond self-control
Their power intoxicated them.
Synonyms
exhilarate
She felt both exhilarated and disturbed by what had just happened.
excite
I only take on work that excites me.
stimulate
I was stimulated to examine my deepest thoughts.
inflame
They hold the rebels responsible for inflaming the villagers.
go to your head
make your head spin
elate
Additional synonyms
in the sense of befuddle
He liked to befuddle his readers.
Synonyms
confuse,
puzzle,
baffle,
bewilder,
muddle,
daze,
perplex,
mystify,
disorient,
faze,
stupefy,
flummox,
bemuse,
intoxicate
in the sense of excite
Definition
to make (a person) feel so happy that he or she is unable to relax because he or she is looking forward eagerly to something
I only take on work that excites me.
Synonyms
thrill,
inspire,
stir,
stimulate,
provoke,
awaken,
animate,
move,
fire,
rouse,
exhilarate,
agitate,
quicken,
inflame,
enliven,
galvanize,
foment
in the sense of inebriate
The rum was not the only thing inebriating him.
Synonyms
intoxicate,
stupefy,
make drunk
Nearby words of
intoxicate
intolerant
intonation
intone
intoxicate
intoxicated
intoxicating
intoxication
Synonyms of 'intoxicate'
intoxicate
Explore 'intoxicate' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of inflame
Definition
to make angry or excited
They hold the rebels responsible for inflaming the villagers.