John Barleycorn

noun

Definition of John Barleycornnext
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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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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for John Barleycorn
  1. alcohol
  2. liquor
  3. drink
  4. booze
  5. rum
  6. spirits
Noun
  • The risk that alcohol consumption will recover slowly strengthens the case for diversification.
    — Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 16 Oct. 2026
  • According to the suit, Jane Doe was beset by seven men while she was incapacitated by drugs and alcohol.
    — Anahid Nersessian, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of alcohol
Noun
  • Counters and tables covered with gunk and what looked like marijuana and empty beer and liquor bottles around.
    — Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2026
  • New ownership would have the option to keep Lindy’s running, rebrand it as something fresh — or, essentially, any other possibility under the sun for the property, building and liquor license.
    — Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of liquor
Noun
  • With six couples, having two separate houses gave us space to spread out while keeping everyone close enough to gather for dinner, drinks, and games.
    — Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Many consumers are drinking less or buying ready-to-drink beverages such as beer and canned cocktails.
    — Lizzie Kane, Sacbee.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of drink
Noun
  • By now, Bobby Davis and Hoghead Henry were dead from the collision of guns and booze.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The booze is hand‑crafted in Jalisco, Mexico, made from 100 percent blue Weber agave.
    — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of booze
Noun
  • The Sissi combines rum, lime and chestnut honey, with notes of coffee and mint, for a tipple as intense, sweet and unpredictable as its namesake princess.
    — Jaclyn DeGiorgio, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Drink Like a Fish mixes two rums, Mount Gay Eclipse from Barbados and Appleton Jamaican rum, with Blue Curacao citrus liqueur, a house cinnamon syrup and Earl Grey tea.
    — Daniel Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of rum
Noun
  • The Supreme Court agreed on Monday to consider whether Congress had the constitutional authority to impose a ban on distilling spirits in private homes more than 150 years ago.
    — Michael Kunzelman, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Jonah himself is remaining positive while keeping his spirits up thanks to the love, support and encouragement of his family, friends and all those doctors and nurses who care so much for him.
    — Patrick Snell, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of spirits

Browse Nearby Words

john
John Barleycorn
John Barleycorns
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Cite this Entry

“John Barleycorn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/John%20Barleycorn. Accessed 23 Oct. 2026.

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