as in alcohol
a distilled beverage that can make a person drunk
she blamed John Barleycorn for the breakdown of their marriage
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of John Barleycorn
And when Traffic reconvened in 1970 to record their comeback album John Barleycorn Must Die, Mason wasn’t involved.
—
Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 22 Apr. 2026
Santa Claus had triumphed over John Barleycorn.
—Gary Kamiya, San Francisco Chronicle, 24 Dec. 2021
Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 22 Apr. 2026
Santa Claus had triumphed over John Barleycorn.
—Gary Kamiya, San Francisco Chronicle, 24 Dec. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for John Barleycorn
Noun
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What's more is that the cocktail can be prepped alcohol-free.—
Lane Nieset,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 June 2026
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He will be required to attend an alcohol treatment program, Laboeuf’s attorney, Sarah Chervinsky, told the AP.—
Pat Saperstein,
Variety,
3 June 2026
Noun
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Dulaney’s lawsuit also includes accusations that Irmer and the museum permitted alcohol to be sold on the premises without a liquor license.—
Tessa Solomon,
ARTnews.com,
1 June 2026
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Similar products include Suntory’s On The Rocks and Diageo’s Cocktail Collection, which use recognizable liquor brands, like Ketel One and Jim Beam, in their drinks.—
Jordan Valinsky,
CNN Money,
1 June 2026
Noun
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The cocktail menu blends astrology and biodynamics, with drinks revolving around cosmic rhythms.—
Lane Nieset,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 June 2026
-
During the main competition, presented by the Flair Bartending Association, participants must make five cocktails in six minutes, including one original drink and a Spanish Long Island Iced Tea with vodka, gin, rum, tequila, cognac, sour mix and simple syrup, topped with Coke.—
Phillip Valys,
Sun Sentinel,
4 June 2026
Noun
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The dark spirit might be more commonly thought of as a cozy, cool-weather sipper or associated with booze-forward drinks served up, but there’s plenty of reason to enjoy it in the summer too, and this cocktail proves why.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
6 June 2026
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What transpires is the best scene in the movie, following two people lifted by collaboration, bonded through booze and creativity, freely sharing notes on each other’s songs.—
Adam Graham,
Boston Herald,
4 June 2026
Noun
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Local touches were everywhere, from an extensive collection of books ranging from South African chick-lit to memoirs of Nelson Mandela, Trevor Noah, and Siya Kolisi to a mini-bar stocked with gin, rum, and brandy made with Cape Fynbos plants.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
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James Thomas had a dream of one day opening his own daiquiri shop, serving the refreshing rum cocktails to celebratory Kansas Citians.—
Katelyn Umholtz,
Kansas City Star,
2 June 2026
Noun
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Call it fate or family tree, Anna Prillaman was born into the craft and culture of spirits.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
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And getting the word out that everybody needs to watch and celebrate because the show is going to lift your spirits and bring a smile to your face.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
7 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“John Barleycorn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/John%20Barleycorn. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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