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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
  • Every ton of greenhouse gas that humans can avoid releasing today reduces how much ice Antarctica loses this century, and the benefit – slower and less sea-level rise – lasts for hundreds of years.
    — Robert Kopp, The Conversation, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Gower pointed specifically to China and Poland, which purchased 20 metric tons and 8 tons of gold, respectively, during July.
    — Hugh Leask, CNBC, 30 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
  • The eye-popping money will help to speed up construction, with groundbreaking set to start next year and the first Miami students beginning their studies in 2028.
    — Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Directed by Mert Alas, the cinematic visual opens on a desert road flanked by mountains, a car speeds through, which is later revealed to be driven by Miley.
    — Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of speed
Noun
  • It has been visited as a curiosity for decades, and it can be seen online in dozens of photos taken during different seasons by passers-through.
    — Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The event at the 12-acre West Midtown art center, which this year will take place Saturday, features dozens of artists, live music, open studios and other ephemeral experiences.
    — Tess Malone, AJC.com, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of dozen

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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 2 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on barrel

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about barrel

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