intoxicant

noun

in·​tox·​i·​cant in-ˈtäk-si-kənt How to pronounce intoxicant (audio)
: something that intoxicates
especially : an alcoholic drink
intoxicant adjective

Examples of intoxicant in a Sentence

The use of intoxicants and stimulants is prohibited. He was driving under the influence of intoxicants.
Recent Examples on the Web She was then taken to the hospital — not for treatment, but to get a blood draw to test for intoxicants. Mike Baker, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2024 His note-perfect friendliness is a reminder that beyond war and boredom, anxiety and sorrow—whatever might drive you to drink or self-harm—are human voices, our true intoxicants, harder to access but easier to hold on to for good, always waiting to step in and soothe. Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 5 Feb. 2024 State criminal charges against him include resisting and obstructing a police officer, reckless driving, and open intoxicants in a motor vehicle, said Lt. Rene Gonzalez, spokesman for the Michigan State Police First District, which includes the Lansing area. Jennifer Dixon, Detroit Free Press, 29 Jan. 2024 The stigma of shopping at the dispensaries that dot the streets has largely gone up in smoke, as cannabis takes its place alongside other legal intoxicants. Simon Montlake, The Christian Science Monitor, 23 Jan. 2024 Open intoxicants were found in the vehicle, according to the complaint. Chris Ramirez, Journal Sentinel, 9 Jan. 2024 The man was charged with resisting and obstructing police, reckless driving and open intoxicants in a motor vehicle, Michigan State Police First District said in a post on X, formerly Twitter. Kate Linderman, Kansas City Star, 29 Jan. 2024 Freedom’s licentious behavior shocks many of her fellow villagers, who conclude that her bottle must have contained some powerful intoxicant. Salman Rushdie, The New Yorker, 31 Oct. 2023 Emerson also agreed to post a $50,000 security bond and is required to engage in mental health services and avoid taking any intoxicants, including alcohol. Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 7 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'intoxicant.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1757, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of intoxicant was in 1757

Dictionary Entries Near intoxicant

Cite this Entry

“Intoxicant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intoxicant. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

intoxicant

noun
in·​tox·​i·​cant in-ˈtäk-si-kənt How to pronounce intoxicant (audio)
: something that intoxicates
especially : an alcoholic drink
intoxicant adjective

Medical Definition

intoxicant

noun
in·​tox·​i·​cant in-ˈtäk-si-kənt How to pronounce intoxicant (audio)
: something that intoxicates
especially : an alcoholic drink

called also inebriant

intoxicant adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on intoxicant

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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