inebriate

[ verb in-ee-bree-eyt; noun, adjective in-ee-bree-it ]

See synonyms for: inebriate inebriated inebriates inebriating on Thesaurus.com

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

to make drunk; intoxicate.
to exhilarate, confuse, or stupefy mentally or emotionally.

noun

an intoxicated person.
a habitual drinker of alcohol who is frequently intoxicated.

adjective

Rare. inebriated (def. 1).

Origin of 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, noun
un·in·e·bri·at·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use inebriate in a sentence

Industrial production and technology have permanently altered the way we brew our inebriating ethanol.
‘Drunk History’: A Booze Cruise of Red, White, and Blood | Rich Goldstein | July 8, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
They galloped, trumpeting, the clean air and merry sunshine going to their heads in the most inebriating fashion.
The Far Horizon | Lucas Malet
On his pressing him a second time, he answered that 'he refused no sustenance but inebriating sustenance.'
Life Of Johnson, Volume 4 (of 6) | Boswell
The idea of inebriating a man at the box office, so that he will endure such a sham, is certainly worthy of serious consideration.
Remarks | Bill Nye
Still, I madly drained the inebriating cup, and speedily my state was worse than ever.
Stories of Achievement, Volume III (of 6) | Various

There must have been something inebriating in Lady Pollacke's tea.
Memoirs of a Midget | Walter de la Mare

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

Origin of inebriate

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

Derived forms of inebriate

inebriation, noun
inebriety (ˌɪnɪˈbraɪɪtɪ), noun

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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