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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Powell gave up alcohol during filming.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
30 Sep. 2025
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The outlets added that Flores is on probation from a 2023 conviction involving a gun and DUI, which bars him from possessing firearms or drinking alcohol.—
Christina Coulter,
PEOPLE,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Matthew and Camila, who co-founded the Pantalones Organic Tequila brand, partnered with Princess back in October 2024 to bring their liquor on board the company’s fleet.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
30 Sep. 2025
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Moonshine While moonshine may have bootlegging roots, the perfectly legal formula that exists today can be found at liquor stores and distilleries across the South.—
Melinda Salchert,
Southern Living,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The omakase experience is $80 per person and will include 11 courses and a welcome drink.—
Rachel Bernhard,
jsonline.com,
3 Oct. 2025
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Each card had a corresponding cocktail that went with it, which left the final drink of the night in fate’s hands.—
Maggie Menderski,
Louisville Courier Journal,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The question, delivered via pay phone, is an old security prompt, and Bob, with a memory fried by pot and booze, cannot remember the answer.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
26 Sep. 2025
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During Prohibition, waiters famously slipped sips of bootleg booze to patrons from flasks tucked inside their apron pockets.—
Alexandra Emanuelli,
Southern Living,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Since developing the coffee program at Yum Village, where Nyles crafted coffee beverages infused with Afro-Caribbean flavors like lattes flavored with buttered rum and scotch bonnets, Hold Me Closer XX is now located inside the Corktown production studio 1301 Studios.—
Lyndsay C. Green,
Freep.com,
3 Oct. 2025
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Sub a spiced or dark rum for the white to get more depth and caramely notes.—
Marianne Williams,
Southern Living,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
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On select dates, the pop-up offers a unique drink-and-tattoo experience, as well as live tarot readings ready to reveal what the spirits have in store.—
Diana Leyva,
Nashville Tennessean,
1 Oct. 2025
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The pair was in good spirits during the season 8 reunion, with Daniel flaunting a tattoo of Taylor's eyes on his chest that's equal parts romantic and upsetting.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“John Barleycorn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/John%20Barleycorn. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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