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
  • Also, never swim after drinking alcohol or using marijuana or other substances that can impact alertness.
    — Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
  • Working out, drinking alcohol and consuming caffeine, Walker says.
    — Gavin Escott, USA Today, 18 July 2026
Definition of alcohol
Noun
  • Any intimations of exclusivity have gone out the window, just like the liquor bottles, condoms — and one TV — flung from balconies.
    — Linda Robertson, Miami Herald, 16 July 2026
  • Old Grand-Dad 7-Year Bottled-In-Bond is available starting this month at liquor stores around the country (SRP $40).
    — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 16 July 2026
Definition of liquor
Noun
  • Astronauts just flew to Earth orbit space atop a rocket emblazoned with an energy-drink ad.
    — Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 17 July 2026
  • Disneyland popcorn, churros, funnel cakes and ice cream cost more after the Anaheim theme park resort increased prices on hundreds of the most popular snacks, foods and drinks during the busy summer season.
    — Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 17 July 2026
Definition of drink
Noun
  • Numbing all that pain by going on The Lost Weekend-style binges of booze and drugs.
    — Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 15 July 2026
  • Since March 2025, every Canadian province except for Alberta and Saskatchewan has banned the sale of American booze.
    — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 8 July 2026
Definition of booze
Noun
  • The experience included multiple nights in the two-bedroom Oceanfront Penthouse residence overlooking the Atlantic, VIP match-day access and police escort to Miami matches, as well as daily cigars and tours of local rum distilleries.
    — Michelle Tchea, Robb Report, 17 July 2026
  • From the same owners as Shibuya, the trendy boîte is famous for its King Kong Milk Punch, made of Jamaican rum, passion fruit, almonds, coffee and lime (€15).
    — New York Times, New York Times, 16 July 2026
Definition of rum
Noun
  • Further lifting Toohey’s spirits is his former high school roommate Lachlan Olbrich.
    — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 15 July 2026
  • Space opened up and despite trailing, Argentine spirits were lifted.
    — Aleks Klosok, CNN Money, 15 July 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 21 Jul. 2026.

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