inebriate

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin inēbriātus, past participle of inēbriāre “to make drunk,” equivalent to in- intensive prefix + ēbri(us) “drunk” + -ātus past participle suffix; see in-², -ate¹

synonym study for inebriate

Inebriate and drunkard are terms for a person who drinks heavily or drinks hard liquors habitually. Drunkard is a judgmental label that connotes willful indulgence to excess. Inebriate is a formal term that sounds more factual or neutral than the stigmatizing label drunkard. Dipsomaniac is a rare, older term for a person who, because of some psychological or physiological illness, has an irresistible craving for liquor. Today, the dipsomaniac is more commonly called an alcoholic —another label that is judgmental and sometimes offensive. Rather than using either of those labels, it is more sensitive and accurate to describe such an individual as a person with alcohol use disorder, or a person who has alcoholism .

OTHER WORDS FROM inebriate

in·e·bri·a·tion, nounun·in·e·bri·at·ed, adjectiveun·in·e·bri·at·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for inebriate

Come inside the star-studded Globes after-parties, where inebriated A-listers mingle.
Partying With the Golden Globes Stars: Taylor Swift Cuts a Rug, Ben Affleck Holds Court, and More|Marlow Stern|January 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The variety of the deaths, and how many of them that group of inebriated people could remember.
Robert Pinsky: The Comedy of Seamus Heaney|Robert Pinsky|October 1, 2013|DAILY BEAST
But what seemed to upset Pastor the most was that Murray had taped Jackson without his knowledge in an “inebriated” state.
After the Glitter of Jackson Trial, Only Facts and Murray Sentence Remain|Amy Ephron|November 30, 2011|DAILY BEAST
The It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia star caused a tiny kerfuffle after his inebriated appearance on The View in 2006.
When Celebs Get Wasted|Gina Piccalo|December 4, 2010|DAILY BEAST

Ever seen two inebriated off-duty firemen at a local pub about to come to blows?
7 Best Cable-TV Feuds|The Daily Beast Video|March 11, 2009|DAILY BEAST
No doubt it was the rats, inebriated by such unusual potations, which had caused the mysterious uproar.
Stories of Animal Sagacity|W.H.G. Kingston
He went about the car shaking dice with other inebriated passengers, and in the course of half an hour had won $6.
The Johnstown Horror|James Herbert Walker
You have the difference between the Inebriated and the Sober, displayed in their works.
The Secret Glory|Arthur Machen
A strange intoxication emanated from those men, who themselves were inebriated with clamour, courage, and confidence.
The Fortune of the Rougons|Emile Zola
Conscious of my inebriated condition, I was much embarrassed that my friend should find me in such a state at that late hour.
On a Donkey's Hurricane Deck|R. Pitcher Woodward

British Dictionary definitions for inebriate

inebriate

verb (ɪnˈiːbrɪˌeɪt) (tr)

to make drunk; intoxicate

to arouse emotionally; make excited

noun (ɪnˈiːbrɪɪt)

a person who is drunk, esp habitually

adjective (ɪnˈiːbrɪɪt) inebriated

drunk, esp habitually

Derived forms of inebriate

inebriation, nouninebriety (ˌɪnɪˈbraɪɪtɪ), noun

Word Origin for inebriate

C15: from Latin inēbriāre, from in- ² + ēbriāre to intoxicate, from ēbrius drunk

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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inebriate

verb (used with object), in·e·bri·at·ed, in·e·bri·at·ing.