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
  • LaGrone was directed not to possess weapons, alcohol or drugs and remain under the care of a person whose initials are noted in a document.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Flair, 77, has battled health and alcohol issues over the years.
    — Ryan Morik OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of alcohol
Noun
  • Serving beer and wine, The Alley Lounge won’t have a liquor license.
    — Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 23 Oct. 2026
  • There’s a scene with a liquor-store salesman who, likewise, isn’t the butt of the joke.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of liquor
Noun
  • The beverage lineup includes espresso drinks, lattes, cappuccinos, cold and hot coffee, and specialty seasonal drinks.
    — Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2026
  • How to practice hygge at home Try curling up with a book, a soft blanket, cozy socks and a hot drink on a cold weekend.
    — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of drink
Noun
  • With Cooper off the booze years ago and Lennon, Moon and Nilsson no longer with us, the latest version of the Vampires came together in 2012 by the OG shock rocker, Perry and Depp.
    — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2026
  • By now, Bobby Davis and Hoghead Henry were dead from the collision of guns and booze.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of booze
Noun
  • At Maroon, celebrity chef Kwame Onwuachi transforms the Las Vegas steakhouse with Caribbean flavors, dry-aging steaks in rum, and reimagining nearly every American steakhouse staple, from crabcakes to Key lime pie.
    — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Pink peppercorn in Byredo Havana Tonka softens a more serious profile; rum and tobacco are more wearable with the sparkly topper.
    — Loren Savini, Allure, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of rum
Noun
  • Vallow Daybell holds doomsday religious beliefs and has claimed that people in her life were possessed by evil spirits.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Nov. 2026
  • This can be especially uncomfortable when the prevailing narrative holds its own special significance, but pondering such complexities strengthens our minds and our spirits.
    — AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 2 Nov. 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 4 Nov. 2026.

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