INTOXICATING Synonyms: 92 Similar and Opposite Words

intoxicating 1 of 2

adjective

as in breathtaking

causing great emotional or mental stimulation naive, young men who had once regarded the thought of going off to war as an intoxicating notion

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

intoxicating

2 of 2

verb

present participle of intoxicate

as in thrilling

to cause a pleasurable stimulation of the feelings the stunning spectacle of this Las Vegas show is sure to intoxicate spectators

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in exciting

to fill with great joy she was intoxicated by the news that she'd gotten the job of her dreams

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of intoxicating

Adjective

Arsenal The pursuit of Vinicius Junior was so intoxicating that, perhaps unsurprisingly, its failure has resulted in something of a hangover. — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026 If drinking is to be further discouraged, governments should therefore take care to promote social interaction and community building in other, non-intoxicating ways. — Tim Brinkhof, Time, 23 July 2026 The Willis Tower was built with cutting-edge technology and ageless chutzpah, a word that could be translated as an intoxicating sense of omnipotence. — Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2026 Bennett was certain that the United States would soon embrace soccer—an intoxicating but tenuous idea that now reads as prescient. — Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026 The story is set in Miami’s most exclusive neighborhood, where a picture-perfect wife uncovers her husband’s double life – igniting a seductive power game that turns betrayal into the most intoxicating game of her life. — Justin Kroll, Deadline, 18 June 2026 People who have worked at FIFA describe it as an intoxicating place. — Sam Knight, New Yorker, 1 June 2026 However, research on CBD and other non-intoxicating cannabis compounds still lags far behind the decades of study devoted to THC. — Dario Sabaghi, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026 The franchise’s first playoff experience since 2018 reminded Ducks fans why this sport at its best can be so intoxicating. — Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 15 May 2026

Verb

Across the decades, Star Wars' secret sauce has always been a feeling – an intoxicating mixture of whimsy and adventure that’s nearly impossible to replicate. — Hayes Madsen, Space.com, 26 Aug. 2026 Yet even that achievement paled when compared to his intoxicating return in February 1992 as manager. — Michael Walker, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026 But intoxicating hemp derivatives generally are due to be banned by federal and state law in November. — Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026 Bees avoid the gloom of the understory—with few flowers, there’s little to entice them—but wasps don’t mind it, and are attracted to the helleborines by the promise of an intoxicating nectar (itself made by a symbiosis with fungi). — Literary Hub, 20 Aug. 2026 An intoxicating spice rub — salt, pepper, cumin, garlic and herbs — permeates everything, from the bronze skin shielding succulent white meat to the livery underside. — Warren Rojas, Washington Post, 19 Aug. 2026 But as our screens silo us further from the world, and further from ourselves, the prospect of being seen—or, for a moment, being even marginally beheld—becomes an intoxicating possibility. — Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 12 Aug. 2026 At the same time, star jasmine adds undertones of intoxicating honey. — Kiana Murden, Vogue, 7 Aug. 2026 North Carolina’s intoxicating cannabinoid industry has been estimated at about $1 billion and—before a statewide crackdown that went into effect on July 31—Texas estimated its industry at about $8 billion annually. — Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for intoxicating

Adjective

Nvidia's giveback Friday was certainly not because the company didn't report an amazing, if not breathtaking, quarter.

— Jim Cramer, CNBC, 30 Aug. 2026
The experience goes far beyond the golf course; Palmares is known across the world for having one of the most breathtaking clubhouse environments in all of golf.

— Jeff Goudy, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of breathtaking

Verb

Join the event trackside as top local restaurants and legendary pitmasters fire up the grills to serve a mouth-watering medley of smoky, savory BBQ (available for purchase) alongside a full day of thrilling horse racing.

— Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
Morgan Rogers 🤜🤛 Xabi Alonso The new Chelsea player and manager helped deliver a thrilling 3-2 win over Fulham yesterday in the club’s Premier League opener.

— Chris Branch, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of thrilling

Verb

Major Wilson, 17, has been around horses most of his life and now spends much of his time helping younger riders get ready, showing them how to saddle their horses without exciting them.

— Jhair Romero, Houston Chronicle, 26 Feb. 2026
For Harrington and her husband Dante, the thought of triplets was shocking but exciting all the same.

— Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Nov. 2025

Definition of exciting

Adjective

Coach John Harbaugh made the interesting decision Friday night to sit Dart and a number of other starters for a second straight preseason game.

— Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 29 Aug. 2026
Cartoonists on Dolly Parton's life and legacy Join 350,000+ subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

— The Week US, TheWeek, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of interesting

Verb

Each adventure is led by experienced guides and designed to balance exhilarating physical challenge with the serene grandeur of the desert landscape.

— Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
The philosophical qualities that define Lindelof’s best work, as well as his stories’ exhilarating strangeness, get lost in the jumble of voices.

— Judy Berman, Time, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of exhilarating

Adjective

Although not quite as polished on the racial politics front, Lanterns’s third episode is no less intriguing, as an hour of television dedicated not only to answering pressing questions but fleshing out its lead character in disturbing ways.

— Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026
Belton is an intriguing player, but Cisco should also see action in certain packages.

— Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of intriguing

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intoxicates

intoxicating

intoxication

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“Intoxicating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intoxicating. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of intoxicating

adjective

verb

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