Synonyms of “Intoxicated” in English: Usage, Examples, and Grammar

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Understanding the synonyms of “intoxicated” unlocks a world of expressive, precise, and context-appropriate vocabulary for English learners and users. The English language is rich with nuanced words that describe states of intoxication, ranging from formal and legal terms to colorful slang expressions. Mastering these synonyms not only improves your reading comprehension but also allows you to communicate more accurately and vividly, whether you are writing, speaking, or interpreting English in real-life situations.

This guide is invaluable for students, teachers, writers, non-native speakers, and anyone seeking to expand their descriptive vocabulary. We will explore definitions, usage, grammar, regional and register differences, and provide abundant examples and exercises. By the end, you’ll confidently choose the most suitable synonym for any context—be it formal, informal, legal, or literary.

Here’s how this comprehensive article is structured:

Table of Contents

3. Definition Section

3.1. What Does “Intoxicated” Mean?

Intoxicated (adjective): A state in which a person’s mental and physical abilities are impaired due to the consumption of alcohol, drugs, or another substance.

  • Literal meaning: Under the influence of alcohol or drugs to the extent that normal control is lost.
  • Metaphorical use: Overwhelmed or excited by a strong emotion (e.g., “intoxicated by success”).

Etymology: From Medieval Latin intoxicatus (“made poisonous”), combining in- (“in”) + toxicum (“poison”).

3.2. Grammatical Classification

  • Adjective: “She is intoxicated.”
  • Past participle (verb form): “He has intoxicated himself.” (rare)
  • Noun (collective): “The intoxicated were escorted out.”

3.3. Function in Sentences

  • Predicative use: “He was intoxicated.” (follows a verb)
  • Attributive use: “The intoxicated driver.” (before the noun)
  • Describes a state or condition

3.4. Usage Contexts

  • Formal: Legal, medical, or official reports (“The suspect was found to be intoxicated.”)
  • Informal: Everyday conversation (“He was drunk.”)
  • Literal: Under the influence of substances
  • Figurative: Overpowered by emotion or sensation
Table 1: Contexts and Example Sentences
Context Example Sentence Register
Literal He was intoxicated after the party. Neutral
Figurative She was intoxicated by the music. Literary
Legal/Medical The driver was found to be intoxicated. Formal

4. Structural Breakdown

4.1. Word Formation and Morphology

  • Intoxicated: Prefix “in-” + root “toxic” (poison) + suffix “-ated”
  • Inebriated: Prefix “in-” + root “ebri” (Latin for “drunk”) + suffix “-ated”
  • Drunk: Past participle of “drink”
  • Wasted, plastered: Derived from verbs with “-ed” adjective formation

4.2. Synonym Patterns: Word Class and Collocation

  • Adjectives: drunk, intoxicated, inebriated, tipsy, wasted
  • Nouns: drunk (as noun), lush
  • Common collocations: “heavily drunk,” “visibly plastered,” “completely wasted”

4.3. Register and Tone

  • Formal: inebriated, intoxicated
  • Neutral: drunk, tipsy
  • Slang: plastered, hammered, wasted
  • Literary: besotted, intoxicated (figurative)
  • Severity: tipsy (mild) vs. wasted (extreme)

4.4. Syntax: Placement in Sentences

  • Attributive: “the intoxicated man”
  • Predicative: “He was intoxicated.”
  • Postpositive: “All present, intoxicated, were removed.” (rare)
Table 2: Synonym Comparison by Usage and Register
Synonym Word Class Register Example Attributive Example Predicative
Drunk Adj/Noun Informal the drunk guest He is drunk.
Inebriated Adj Formal the inebriated driver She was inebriated.
Wasted Adj Slang the wasted partygoer He got wasted last night.

5. Types or Categories

5.1. Synonyms by Formality

  • Formal: intoxicated, inebriated, impaired, under the influence
  • Neutral: drunk, tipsy, buzzed
  • Informal/Slang: plastered, wasted, hammered, smashed, legless

5.2. Synonyms by Degree of Intoxication

  • Mild: tipsy, buzzed, merry
  • Moderate: drunk, sozzled, inebriated
  • Severe/Extreme: wasted, legless, paralytic, smashed, plastered

5.3. Synonyms by Substance

  • Alcohol-specific: sozzled, pickled, tipsy, plastered
  • Drug-related: high, stoned, spaced out
  • General: intoxicated, under the influence, impaired

5.4. Synonyms by Region or Dialect

  • British English: pissed, legless, paralytic, bladdered
  • American English: trashed, hammered, wasted, buzzed
  • Australian English: maggoted, rotten, off one’s face
Table 3: Synonyms by Degree, Register, and Region
Synonym Degree Register Region Example
Tipsy Mild Neutral Global She felt tipsy.
Legless Severe Slang UK He was legless.
Wasted Extreme Slang US He got wasted.

6. Examples Section

6.1. Basic Examples of Each Synonym

  • He was drunk after the wedding.
  • She became inebriated at the gala.
  • The driver was found intoxicated.
  • After two glasses, she felt tipsy.
  • He got wasted at the club last night.
  • By midnight, he was completely hammered.
  • She looked plastered when she left.
  • He was buzzed but still in control.
  • The partygoers were smashed.
  • She was legless by the end of the evening.
  • He seemed sozzled after dinner.
  • She was under the influence.
  • He is often called a drunk.
  • The suspect was found impaired.
  • He was stoned during the concert. (drug-related)
  • She appeared pickled.
  • He was off his face after the show. (Australian slang)
  • She was paralytic after the pub crawl. (UK)
  • He was maggoted at the festival. (Australian)
  • He was high on marijuana. (drug-related)

6.2. Examples by Register

  • Formal: “The suspect was found to be inebriated.”
  • Informal: “He was totally sloshed.”
  • Slang: “She got hammered last night.”

6.3. Examples by Degree of Intoxication

  • Mild: “He’s a bit tipsy after one drink.”
  • Moderate: “He’s definitely drunk now.”
  • Severe: “After five shots, he was plastered.”

6.4. Examples in Different Contexts

  • Legal: “Operating a vehicle while intoxicated is illegal.”
  • Social: “Everyone at the party was tipsy.”
  • Literary: “He was intoxicated by her presence.”

6.5. Synonyms in Idiomatic Expressions

  • He was three sheets to the wind by midnight.
  • She was under the influence.
  • He was drunk as a skunk.
  • She was out of her head after the party.
  • They were off their faces at the festival.

6.6. Negative and Positive Connotations

  • Positive: “He was pleasantly buzzed.”
  • Negative: “He was dangerously drunk.”

6.7. Example Tables

Table 4: Synonyms by Degree
Mild Moderate Severe
Tipsy Drunk Wasted
Buzzed Inebriated Plastered
Table 5: Formal vs. Informal Synonyms
Formal Neutral Informal/Slang
Inebriated Drunk Smashed
Intoxicated Tipsy Hammered

6.8. 40-50 Numbered, Categorized Example Sentences

  1. He was intoxicated during the investigation. (Formal, legal)
  2. She came home drunk after the party. (Neutral, social)
  3. After one drink, I was already tipsy. (Mild, neutral)
  4. He looked wasted by midnight. (Severe, slang, US)
  5. She felt buzzed after her cocktail. (Mild, informal, US)
  6. The officer stated that the driver was inebriated. (Formal, legal)
  7. He got hammered on New Year’s Eve. (Severe, slang, US/UK)
  8. Everyone was smashed at the bachelor party. (Severe, slang, UK/US)
  9. He was plastered after four beers. (Severe, slang, UK)
  10. She seemed sozzled after dinner. (Moderate, informal, UK)
  11. The suspect was found under the influence. (Formal, general)
  12. He was paralytic by the end of the night. (Extreme, slang, UK)
  13. She was legless after the wedding. (Extreme, slang, UK)
  14. He is often called a lush. (Noun, informal, US/UK)
  15. She was pickled after several drinks. (Moderate, slang, UK)
  16. He is a drunk and needs help. (Noun, informal, negative)
  17. They looked visibly impaired. (Formal, medical/legal)
  18. The artist was intoxicated by inspiration. (Metaphorical, literary)
  19. She was high on prescription drugs. (Drug-related, US/UK)
  20. He was stoned during the concert. (Drug-related, slang)
  21. He was off his face at the pub. (Extreme, slang, Australia/UK)
  22. She was maggoted at the festival. (Extreme, slang, Australia)
  23. He was pissed at the football match. (Severe, slang, UK/Australia)
  24. My uncle was bladdered last night. (Severe, slang, UK)
  25. She was on the sauce again. (Idiom, informal, US/UK)
  26. He was three sheets to the wind. (Idiom, informal, UK/US)
  27. She was sloshed at the reunion. (Moderate, slang, US/UK)
  28. The bar was full of inebriated patrons. (Formal, neutral)
  29. He was out of his mind after too many shots. (Severe, idiomatic, US/UK)
  30. She appeared merry after two drinks. (Mild, literary)
  31. He was off his trolley by the end of the night. (Extreme, slang, UK)
  32. She was under the table after the celebration. (Idiom, US/UK)
  33. He was spaced out at the festival. (Drug-related, slang, US/UK)
  34. The nurse said he was under sedation. (Medical, formal)
  35. He was drunk as a lord. (Idiom, UK)
  36. She looked besotted with happiness. (Metaphorical, literary)
  37. He was out of it after too many pints. (Slang, US/UK)
  38. The intoxicated were escorted out. (Noun, formal)
  39. He was pickled after the barbecue. (Slang, UK)
  40. She was drunk on power. (Metaphorical)
  41. He became intoxicated by her beauty. (Metaphorical, literary)
  42. She was over the limit and couldn’t drive. (Legal, idiom, US/UK)
  43. He looked blotto at the end of the night. (Severe, slang, UK)
  44. She was completely out of her head. (Severe, idiomatic)
  45. He is a drunkard in the family. (Noun, archaic, negative)
  46. They were sloshed after the wine tasting. (Moderate, slang)
  47. She was inebriated by the atmosphere. (Metaphorical, literary)
  48. He was gone by midnight. (Slang, severe)
  49. She felt giddy after her first drink. (Mild, positive)

7. Usage Rules

7.1. Choosing the Right Synonym

  • Match the formality of the context (e.g., use “inebriated” or “intoxicated” in legal or medical settings, not “wasted” or “hammered”).
  • Choose the degree of intoxication accurately (e.g., “tipsy” for mild, “wasted” for severe).
  • Be aware of regional preferences (e.g., “pissed” is slang for drunk in the UK, but means “angry” in the US).

7.2. Grammatical Agreement and Collocation

  • Adjective-noun agreement: “The drunk man,” not “the drunked man.”
  • Verb + synonym: “get drunk,” “become intoxicated,” “appear inebriated.”
  • Adverbs: “completely wasted,” “slightly tipsy.”

7.3. Figurative Uses and Metaphor

  • “Intoxicated with excitement”
  • “Drunk on power”
  • “Inebriated by beauty”

7.4. Usage in Questions and Negatives

  • “Are you drunk?” (informal question)
  • “He was not intoxicated.” (formal negative statement)
  • “Was she inebriated?” (formal question)

7.5. Register Appropriateness

  • Avoid slang in formal writing and legal contexts.
  • Use technical terms (intoxicated, impaired) for official or medical documents.

7.6. Synonym Collocations

  • “Legally intoxicated”
  • “Hopelessly drunk”
  • “Visibly hammered”
  • “Slightly tipsy”

7.7. Exceptions and Special Cases

  • Do not use “high” for alcohol intoxication; use “high” or “stoned” for drugs.
  • Some terms are region-specific (e.g., “pissed” as drunk in UK, angry in US).
  • Some terms are outdated or offensive (e.g., “lush,” “drunkard”).

7.8. Synonyms as Nouns

  • “The intoxicated were sent home.” (collective noun)
  • “He is a drunk.” (noun, informal, negative)
  • “She is a lush.” (noun, informal, pejorative)
Table 6: Common Collocations
Synonym Common Collocations Example Sentence
Drunk get, become, seem, appear He got drunk quickly.
Smashed be, look, sound She looked smashed after midnight.
Inebriated appear, seem, found He was found inebriated at work.

8. Common Mistakes

8.1. Confusing Register

  • Using slang (e.g., “wasted”) in academic or legal writing.
  • Using formal terms (e.g., “inebriated”) in casual conversation.

8.2. Incorrect Degree

  • Saying “He was tipsy” (mild) when someone was severely intoxicated.

8.3. Misusing Substance-Specific Terms

  • Using “high” to refer to alcohol intoxication (incorrect).

8.4. Literal vs. Figurative Misapplication

  • “Drunk on love” (correct as a metaphor).
  • “High on alcohol” (incorrect).

8.5. Subject-Verb Agreement Errors

  • “He was intoxicated.” (correct)
  • “He were intoxicated.” (incorrect)

8.6. Incorrect Collocations

  • “He is a intoxicated.” (incorrect noun use)

8.7. Examples: Correct vs. Incorrect

Table 7: Correct vs. Incorrect Usage
Incorrect Usage Correct Usage Explanation
He was high after three beers. He was drunk after three beers. “High” is not for alcohol.
She was inebriate at the party. She was inebriated at the party. Wrong form of the word.
The driver was totally tipsy. The driver was totally drunk. “Tipsy” too mild for the context.
He is a intoxicated. He is intoxicated. “Intoxicated” is not a noun.

9. Practice Exercises

9.1. Fill-in-the-Blank

  1. After two cocktails, she felt __________.
  2. The driver was found to be __________ by the police.
  3. He got totally __________ at the bachelor party. (US slang)
  4. She seemed only __________ after one glass of wine.
  5. He was __________ on marijuana. (drug-related)
  6. By the end of the night, he was __________ and couldn’t walk.
  7. She was __________ by the music’s beauty. (figurative)
  8. Operating a vehicle while __________ is illegal.
  9. He was __________ after three beers. (neutral)
  10. They looked __________ after the wine tasting. (UK slang)

9.2. Correction Exercises

  1. She was inebriate at the party.
  2. The man was high after three glasses of wine.
  3. He is a intoxicated.
  4. The supervisor was smashed at work. (formal context)
  5. She was totally tipsy after ten shots.
  6. The driver was buzzed and charged with DUI. (legal context)
  7. He were drunk at the event.
  8. He was drunk on alcohol. (redundant)
  9. He was high on wine.
  10. She is a drunked woman.

9.3. Identification

Select the most appropriate synonym for each context:

  1. (Legal report) The suspect was __________.
  2. (Party, US slang) He was __________ by midnight.
  3. (Mild, social) She was __________ after a glass of champagne.
  4. (Severe, UK slang) He was __________ after the pub crawl.
  5. (Drug-related) The musician was __________ during the show.
  6. (Metaphorical) She was __________ by his charm.
  7. (Formal medical) The patient was __________.
  8. (Neutral, everyday) He was __________ at the bar.
  9. (Australian slang, extreme) He was __________ at the party.
  10. (Slang, US) She was __________ after the concert.

9.4. Sentence Construction

Use the given synonym in three sentences: (a) formal, (b) informal, (c) slang.

  • Intoxicated
  • Drunk
  • Wasted
  • Tipsy

9.5. Multiple Choice

  1. Which term is most appropriate for a legal document?
    a) Smashed    b) Intoxicated    c) Plastered
  2. Which synonym describes a mild state?
    a) Drunk    b) Tipsy    c) Legless
  3. Which is a British slang term for very drunk?
    a) Hammered    b) Pissed    c) Buzzed
  4. Which synonym refers to drug intoxication?
    a) Buzzed    b) High    c) Tipsy
  5. Which would you use in a medical report?
    a) Impaired    b) Plastered    c) Smashed

9.6. Matching

Synonym Degree Example Sentence
Legless a) Severe ___
Tipsy b) Mild ___
Inebriated c) Moderate ___
Smashed d) Severe ___
Buzzed e) Mild ___

9.7. Answers and Explanations

Table 8: Exercise Answer Key
Sentence # Correct Answer Explanation
1 Tipsy Mild, after two cocktails
2 Intoxicated Formal/legal register
3 Wasted Severe, US slang, party context
4 Tipsy Mild, after one glass
5 High Drug-related intoxication
6 Legless Severe, can’t walk, UK slang
7 Intoxicated Metaphorical, formal/literary
8 Intoxicated Legal context
9 Drunk Neutral, everyday use
10 Sozzled UK slang for moderate intoxication

Correction Exercise Explanations:

  1. She was inebriated at the party. (Use correct adjective form)
  2. The man was drunk after three glasses of wine. (“High” is not used for alcohol)
  3. He is intoxicated. (“Intoxicated” is not a noun)
  4. The supervisor was intoxicated at work. (Use formal term in formal context)
  5. She was totally drunk after ten shots. (“Tipsy” is too mild)
  6. The driver was intoxicated and charged with DUI. (“Buzzed” is too mild for legal context)
  7. He was drunk at the event. (Subject-verb agreement)
  8. He was drunk. (“On alcohol” is redundant)
  9. He was drunk on wine. (Use “drunk” for alcohol)
  10. She is a drunk woman. (“Drunked” is incorrect)

Identification Answers:
1. Inebriated   2. Wasted   3. Tipsy   4. Legless   5. High   6. Intoxicated   7. Impaired   8. Drunk   9. Maggoted   10. Hammered

Multiple Choice Answers:
1. b) Intoxicated
2. b) Tipsy
3. b) Pissed
4. b) High
5. a) Impaired

Matching Answers:
Legless – a) Severe – He was legless after the party.
Tipsy – b) Mild – She felt tipsy after a glass of wine.
Inebriated – c) Moderate – The driver was inebriated.
Smashed – d) Severe – He got smashed at the club.
Buzzed – e) Mild – He was buzzed after his drink.

10. Advanced Topics

10.1. Synonym Nuance and Connotation

Synonyms vary in emotional tone and implication. “Tipsy” is light and sometimes positive, “wasted” is negative and severe, “inebriated” is formal and neutral. Choice of word can affect how a person’s state is perceived—either as humorous, pitiful, dangerous, or carefree.

10.2. Historical and Literary Usage

Older texts may use drunkard or besotted. Literary works often employ “intoxicated” or “drunk” metaphorically: “drunk with joy,” “intoxicated by her beauty.”

10.3. Etymology of Key Synonyms

  • Intoxicated: Latin “intoxicatus” (poisoned)
  • Drunk: Old English “druncen” (past participle of drink)
  • Inebriated: Latin “inebriatus” (to make drunk)
  • Tipsy: Possibly from “tip” meaning to tilt or stagger

10.4. Cross-Linguistic Comparison

  • French: “ivre” (drunk), “saoul” (drunk), “bourré” (slang, wasted)
  • Spanish: “borracho” (drunk), “ebrio” (intoxicated), “pedo” (slang, wasted)
  • German: “betrunken” (drunk), “benebelt” (intoxicated), “besoffen” (slang, wasted)

10.5. Extended Metaphorical Use

Synonyms of “intoxicated” are often used to describe being overwhelmed by emotions, sensations, or experiences. Examples include:

  • “Intoxicated by love”
  • “Drunk on success”
  • “Inebriated by the beauty of nature”
  • “Tipsy with excitement”

10.6. Social and Cultural Implications

Attitudes towards intoxication vary widely across cultures. Some societies view it as a normal part of social gatherings, while others strongly condemn it.

The choice of words to describe intoxication can reflect these varying attitudes. For example, using slang terms might normalize or trivialize the state, while using formal terms might emphasize its seriousness.

In legal and medical contexts, specific blood alcohol content (BAC) levels define intoxication. Legal terms such as “driving under the influence” (DUI) or “driving while intoxicated” (DWI) have precise legal definitions.

Medically, “intoxication” refers to the state of being poisoned by a substance, with specific diagnostic criteria.

11. FAQ Section

What is the most formal synonym for “intoxicated”?

The most formal synonyms are “inebriated” and “intoxicated” itself. These are often used in legal, medical, and official contexts.

What is a slang term for “intoxicated”?

Common slang terms include “wasted,” “hammered,” “smashed,” “plastered,” and “legless.”

Is it correct to say someone is “high” from alcohol?

No, “high” is typically used to describe the effects of drugs, not alcohol. It is more appropriate to say someone is “drunk,” “intoxicated,” or “inebriated” from alcohol.

What’s the difference between “tipsy” and “drunk”?

“Tipsy” describes a mild state of intoxication, while “drunk” indicates a more significant level of impairment.

Can “intoxicated” be used metaphorically?

Yes, “intoxicated” can be used metaphorically to describe being overwhelmed by emotions or sensations, such as “intoxicated by love” or “intoxicated by beauty.”

What are some UK slang terms for “intoxicated”?

Common UK slang terms include “pissed,” “legless,” “bladdered,” and “paralytic.”

What are some Australian slang terms for “intoxicated”?

Common Australian slang terms include “maggoted,” “rotten,” and “off one’s face.”

Is “drunkard” a polite term?

No, “drunkard” is an outdated and often offensive term for someone who is frequently intoxicated.

How do I choose the right synonym for “intoxicated”?

Consider the context, the degree of intoxication, the register (formal, informal, slang), and regional preferences.

Are there any positive connotations for synonyms of “intoxicated”?

Some terms, like “tipsy” or “buzzed,” can have mildly positive connotations, suggesting a pleasant and lighthearted state. However, most synonyms of “intoxicated” carry negative or neutral connotations.

12. Conclusion

Mastering the synonyms of “intoxicated” enhances your ability to communicate effectively and appropriately in various contexts. By understanding the nuances of each word – its formality, degree, regional usage, and connotations – you can choose the most suitable term for any situation.

This guide provides a comprehensive resource for students, teachers, writers, and anyone looking to expand their English vocabulary and use it with precision and confidence. From formal reports to casual conversations, you are now equipped to navigate the rich landscape of synonyms for “intoxicated” with ease.

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