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

Partly because McCarthy is a desperate alcoholic and becoming very sick.

— David Frum, The Atlantic, 29 July 2026
Following their split, Timothy, who was an alcoholic, moved across the country to California, while Chris took charge of raising Ben and Casey.

— Alex Gurley, PEOPLE, 24 July 2026

Definition of alcoholic

Noun

Sleep was beginning to finally visit the insomniacs and drunkards of T—in central Manila when a commotion louder than the usual domestic squabbles erupted from the room above Mang Calixto’s bakery.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 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

At first glance, The Blue Stoops looks like your classic British boozer.

— Claudia Alarcón, Forbes.com, 9 June 2026
In Manchester's Northern Quarter, diners slurp oysters to a late-night DJ soundtrack; in Glasgow, Basque cooking is taking center stage; in Leeds, a Victorian boozer is the best place to eat right now.

— CNT Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Mar. 2026

Definition of boozer

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

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
Yet the occasional poignancy of both Toby and Andrew, the sot and the fool, doesn’t emerge in this production.

— Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2025

Definition of sot

Noun

Once the cortisol crash happens, coffee drinkers can feel even more tired in the afternoon.

— Erin Hooker Published, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Aug. 2026
Half of men in their 30s, 40s and 50s engaged in binge drinking, and more than one in five men in their 40s and 50s qualified as high-risk drinkers.

— Harriet Marsden, TheWeek, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of drinker

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barflies

barfly

barfs

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Style

“Barfly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/barfly. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of barfly

noun

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