as in alcohol
a distilled beverage that can make a person drunk
she blamed John Barleycorn for the breakdown of their marriage
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Recent Examples of John Barleycorn
Santa Claus had triumphed over John Barleycorn.
—
Gary Kamiya, San Francisco Chronicle, 24 Dec. 2021
Gary Kamiya, San Francisco Chronicle, 24 Dec. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for John Barleycorn
Noun
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Sheen, 60, opens up about his misuse of drugs and alcohol which wreaked havoc on his health and career.—
Erin Jensen,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
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At the bar, Jeremiah is drunk and drowning his pain in alcohol.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Dumas was last seen on surveillance footage entering and leaving a liquor store with two women.—
Christine Pelisek,
People.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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During meetings, Díaz de la Portilla would sometimes drink liquor out of a coffee mug or a paper cup, according to former staffers who spoke to the Herald on the condition of anonymity out of fear of retaliation.—
Joey Flechas,
Miami Herald,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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While the Vacation partnership runs through September, the bar program leans into these ever-changing temperatures with strategic year-round summer drinks like the Easy Breezy—Ford's Gin, Pisco, white grape, passion fruit and cucumber—vacation insurance in liquid form.—
Jenn Rice,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
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Beet juice has gained popularity among athletes as an antioxidant-rich pre-workout drink.—
Stephanie Brown,
Verywell Health,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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To prevent a repeat of Otis’ near-death brush with booze, the distillery has asked the city for a dumpster with a lid.—
Michael Collins,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
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Some common over-the-counter medications, like Tylenol, pose danger to the liver when combined with booze.—
Jamie Ducharme,
Health,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Afrofuturist artwork, funk and soul on the speakers, and rum-forward cocktails transformed the setting.—
Lauren Mowery,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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Next up is the Apple Harvest Punch, a rum drink featuring cranberry, lemon and apple juice.—
Michael Nied,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The category is projected to be worth roughly $8–10 billion USD in 2025, with a steady 5% annual growth rate through 2033, driven by rising demand in Asia and a global appetite for premium spirits, according to Data Insights Market.—
Gina Pace,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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The film has Lorraine Warren, using her psychic visions, uncovering that the spirits in the house are masking the demonic presence — one that’s tied to the mirror at the beginning of the film that is also seen in the series’ first film.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“John Barleycorn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/John%20Barleycorn. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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