intoxicate
/in'tɔksikeit/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb (transitive):
- To cause someone to lose control of their faculties or behavior, typically through the effects of a substance such as alcohol or a drug.
- To excite or exhilarate someone to a point of great enthusiasm or frenzy, often in a metaphorical sense.
Usage
The verb "intoxicate" is used to describe the action of a substance (like alcohol) or an experience (like success or love) that powerfully affects a person's mental or physical state. It often implies a temporary state of altered consciousness or overwhelming emotion. - It is commonly used in the passive voice (e.g., "He was intoxicated by..."). - It can describe both literal poisoning and figurative elation.
Examples
- Literal (Substance):
- The strong wine quickly began to intoxicate him.
- Be careful with that medication; it can intoxicate if taken in large doses.
- Figurative (Emotion/Experience):
- She was intoxicated by the thrill of her first victory.
- The sheer beauty of the landscape intoxicated the travelers.
Advanced Usage
- "to be intoxicated with/by something": To be powerfully affected or exhilarated by something non-physical.
- He was intoxicated with power after the promotion.
- The audience was intoxicated by the musician's performance.
Variants and Related Words
- Intoxicated (adj): Affected by alcohol or drugs to the point of losing control; or, extremely excited or elated.
- The police charged him with driving while intoxicated.
- She had an intoxicated look of joy on her face.
- Intoxicating (adj): Causing intoxication; extremely exciting or thrilling.
- The air was filled with the intoxicating scent of jasmine.
- They found the freedom of travel utterly intoxicating.
- Intoxication (n): The state of being intoxicated; poisoning.
- The law defines a strict limit for blood alcohol intoxication.
Synonyms
- Inebriate: To make drunk; to exhilarate.
- Elate: To make very happy or proud.
- Exhilarate: To make someone feel very happy, animated, or elated.
Antonyms
- Sober (verb): To become or make sober.
- Depress: To make someone feel utterly dispirited or dejected.
Related Phrases/Idioms
- Drunk on power: Similar to being intoxicated with power; excessively excited or corrupted by authority.
- The dictator, drunk on power, ignored the needs of his people.
Verb
- have an intoxicating effect on, of a drug
- make drunk (with alcoholic drinks)
- fill with high spirits; fill with optimism
- Music can uplift your spirits