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 concrete bleachers around the basketball court was teeming with trash, plastic cups, and bottles of alcohol.
    — Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 11 July 2026
  • Customers can also upgrade from well alcohol to more premiere brands for $4.
    — Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 11 July 2026
Definition of alcohol
Noun
  • Guns, liquor, darkness and a 300-pound goat-man supposedly in pain.
    — Star-Telegram staff, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 July 2026
  • Guests get wooden chips to trade in for liquor at the whiskey-centric bar.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 July 2026
Definition of liquor
Noun
  • Charlotte is having drinks at the hotel bar with a couple of colleagues when Sugar confronts her.
    — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 10 July 2026
  • The dessert chain has an expansive menu that includes cakes, crêpes, freshly made Belgium waffles, funnel cakes and hot and iced drinks.
    — Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 July 2026
Definition of drink
Noun
  • 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
  • With information about the negative effects of alcohol dominating the headlines, gatherings that were previously based strictly around booze are dwindling.
    — Megan Johnson, Architectural Digest, 6 July 2026
Definition of booze
Noun
  • Below, discover five rums to try in your mojito this Saturday—and all summer long.
    — Jillian Dara, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
  • There are several different rums in the lineup, including un-aged and barrel-aged versions, as well as a spiced rum that’s smoked over a peat fire to give it some of that classic Islay character.
    — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 10 July 2026
Definition of rum
Noun
  • Camilla appeared in good spirits despite the recent royal drama surrounding Prince Harry and his visit to the United Kingdom.
    — Jennifer Hassan, USA Today, 8 July 2026
  • Christie’s similarly posted its best results ever for wine and spirits sales.
    — George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 8 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 15 Jul. 2026.

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