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barrel 1 of 2

noun

ˈber-əl How to pronounce barrel (audio)
Definition of barrelnext
1
as in ton
a considerable amount a visit to an amusement park should be a barrel of laughs

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in tin
a metal container in the shape of a cylinder a trash barrel

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3
as in pipe
an enclosed wooden vessel for holding beverages barrels of fine wine aging in the winery's cellar

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barrel

2 of 2

verb

as in to race
to proceed or move quickly faced with a firm deadline, we barreled through the project at a furious pace

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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 barrel
Noun
To be fair, according to Freddie this is actually explicable, based on an apple wine recipe Booker used to make using apples, bourbon barrels, and cinnamon. — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 27 Sep. 2026 Then create loose waves with a large-barrel curling iron and tousle them with your fingers. — María Diez, Glamour, 26 Sep. 2026
Verb
Questions remain about security in America, with law enforcement officials often referring to a dynamic and fast-moving threat picture, meaning there is no one singular threat barreling down. — Mark Morales, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2026 The Boeing 767 then barreled about 1,300 feet beyond the end of the runway and struck a van, killing the five people inside. — James Cirrone, FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for barrel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for barrel
  1. ton
  2. tin
  3. pipe
  4. race
  5. loads
  6. drum
  7. speed
  8. dozen
Noun
  • Environmental groups estimate now, without stricter standards, cars could produce 22,111 more tons of carbon dioxide per year than under the Biden-era rules in 2035.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Greeting the audience at the entrance is Rilke’s poem, printed on a transparent panel; visible just beyond is Goldin+Senneby’s large-scale, amber Resin Pond (2006), made with two tons of pine tree resin spilling across the gallery.
    — Vivienne Chow, ARTnews.com, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of ton
Noun
  • Pie tins, canisters, trays, and measuring cups also often featured advertising, so scan items carefully.
    — Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 25 Sep. 2026
  • The first edition consisted of gigante, fava, kidney, and pinto beans; red quinoa and farro, and a tin of Spanish extra-virgin olive oil.
    — Rebecca Firkser, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of tin
Noun
  • The note change is a marker, but the organ, in which air is electronically blown through the pipes day and night for all to hear, has become an endearing sound that connects you to your being.
    — Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
  • The piers were 24 meters apart, with an iron pipe between them.
    — Danny Robb, JSTOR Daily, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of pipe
Verb
  • All the prep, all the focus, all the pressure of racing in the Cup Series is done.
    — Ryan Canfield OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 2026
  • As pre-production raced along, Klein worked with multiple collaborators on the songs and the pre-records the actors would lip-sync to.
    — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of race
Noun
  • Presenter Zane Lowe has conducted loads of candid interviews with new and established musicians, and the company's Los Angeles studio has captured dozens of memorable performances for posterity.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 27 Sep. 2026
  • The two feature about 2,000 sensors that measure loads, airflow, vibrations and how the turbines interact with each other.
    — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of loads
Noun
  • Megan’s at home over the mix of piano keys, strings and thumping drums that feels very much synonymous with Houston.
    — Michael Saponara, Billboard, 29 Sep. 2026
  • As on the original album, Wonder plays most of the instruments on the EP’s songs, including drums, GX-1-Dream Machine, Bass-GX-1-Dream Machine, Fender Rhodes, and electric bass, variously, in addition to singing.
    — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of drum
Verb
  • Alexander said his husband was struck by a car in May, prompting him to reach out to the City Council about the speeding problems in the neighborhood.
    — Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026
  • When life speeds up, intentional relaxation is usually the first thing that flies out the window.
    — Cheryl Fenton, Flow Space, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of speed
Noun
  • The issue of whether or not Kalshi and Polymarket’s sports offerings are legal is being hotly litigated in dozens of states and, so far, courts are for the most part ruling against the company.
    — Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Several of his dozens of accusers were in court on Wednesday.
    — MICHAEL R. SISAK, Arkansas Online, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of dozen

Browse Nearby Words

barred
barrel
barreled
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Cite this Entry

“Barrel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/barrel. Accessed 1 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on barrel

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about barrel

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