BARFLY Synonyms: 19 Similar and Opposite Words

barfly

noun

Definition of barfly

as in alcoholic

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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 barfly Hawke renders Hart as the most erudite barfly to buzz around mid-century Manhattan. — Kyle McGovern, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025 Turns out Cusack is still a regular barfly at Beacon Hill joints like Carrie Nation’s and the 21st Amendment (which was also Kujo’s favorite spot back in the day). — Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 26 July 2025 Norm was America’s favorite barfly, and as the theme song said, everybody knew his name. — Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 23 May 2025 Wendt starred as Norm on every episode of the show’s 11 seasons; Norm is a barfly of the highest manner, both congenial and running up an extremely high tab. — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 20 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for barfly

Recent Examples of Synonyms for barfly

Noun

The answers to these questions are very important to our community of addicts and alcoholics, both in and out of recovery.

— David Manheim, Rolling Stone, 1 Sep. 2026
Dad is an abusive alcoholic, prone to berating and even assaulting his daughter in front of guests, of which Vangelio is currently the only one.

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of alcoholic

Noun

Only his father’s respectability, and perhaps his odd Motown accent, spared him from getting cussed out by bridesmaids at society weddings as a wastrel and drunkard, a shameless woman-wrapper.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Aug. 2026
In invalidating the comparisons, Gorsuch focused on the purpose of the laws aimed at the habitual drunkards of the 18th century.

— Noah Feldman, Twin Cities, 25 June 2026

Definition of drunkard

Noun

One of American drama's most intriguing case studies, Hickey is the hardware salesman who returns to his old tawdry haunt not on one of his periodic benders but on a mission to reform the resident inebriates of their belief in a better tomorrow.

— Charles McNulty, latimes.com, 10 May 2018
The group proposed extending the winter shelter through May, boosting treatment for serial inebriates and reporting all homeless incidents and issues to a single coordinator.

— Jeff McDonald, sandiegouniontribune.com, 1 Oct. 2017

Definition of inebriate

Noun

Ordinary rebels — even ones born from boozehounds — taking down a dictator are inspirational.

— Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2025
Post Malone, pop’s premier sad-sack boozehound, has returned with F-1 Trillion, his first long-form foray into pure country music.

— Shaad D’Souza, Pitchfork, 16 Aug. 2024

Definition of boozehound

Noun

That at least has some continuity with the old days, because Third Avenue’s saloons at mid-century were where the sots washed up, like Ray Milland in The Lost Weekend.

— Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 2 Sep. 2026
The Rangers, who held a 16-7 sot advantage in the second, stormed the B’s zone after that and Korpisalo did start to battle well.

— Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 24 Sep. 2025

Definition of sot

Noun

The abject terror of reproduction was personified by Lamashtu, demoness of the night, drinker of blood, eater of flesh, slayer of children, untimely opener of wombs, ravager of women.

— Eleanor Johnson, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026
Each city was graded on a score out of 100, with points based on metrics such as average spending on coffee, number of coffee drinkers per household, and number of affordable coffee shops.

— Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of drinker

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barflies

barfly

barfs

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“Barfly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/barfly. Accessed 24 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of barfly

noun

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