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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In total, 1,053,483 people died; 95,350 deaths from external causes (accidents, violent and alcohol-attributable causes), and 955,723 from other underlying causes.—
Hannah Millington,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
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Items not valid for the senior and discount included prescriptions, alcohol, tobacco, phone services, transit passes, postage, Arizona Lottery tickets, event tickets, fuel, gift cards, money orders and Western Union services.—
Rey Covarrubias Jr,
AZCentral.com,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
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There are beer stands, dessert carts and liquor bars throughout the ballpark.—
Ed Masley,
AZCentral.com,
4 Nov. 2025
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Victor Schwartz, a wine and liquor importer, spoke to ABC News.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The chain started with a single location in Rogers in 2017 and offers more than 20,000 drink combinations.—
John Magsam,
Arkansas Online,
8 Nov. 2025
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When To Seek Medical Care Things like fizzy drinks, overeating, or swallowing air can cause bloating.—
Merve Ceylan,
Health,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Although evidence does not indicate how many people who have given up booze are taking up weed, the percentage of Americans ages 19 to 30 who reported consuming marijuana within the past year went up by 56 percent from 2009 to 2023, according to a University of Michigan report.—
Dan Brooks,
The Atlantic,
3 Nov. 2025
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The Wild West saloon — fully equipped with fans, refrigerators, booze and a television — overlooks a pristine saltwater pool in the center of the quarter-acre yard.—
David Caraccio,
Sacbee.com,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The recognition is part of Zacapa’s continued partnership with LAFS, marking the third consecutive year the Guatemalan rum brand has celebrated leaders shaping Latin American design.—
Renan Botelho,
Footwear News,
4 Nov. 2025
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The cocktails are standout, with lots of libations made with Outer Banks Distilling (the rum is excellent).—
Jenn Rice,
Travel + Leisure,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The 40th release, however, marks the first time the brand has ever released a tequila—an extra añejo blend put together by a leading name in the agave spirits industry.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
5 Nov. 2025
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Cushla’s world is full of defiant spirits, including her mother, a woman struggling with addiction who spends most of her days bound to her living room and the bottom of a bottle.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“John Barleycorn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/John%20Barleycorn. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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