as in alcohols
illegally produced liquor
getting caught with bootleg during Prohibition could have resulted in a jail sentence
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Recent Examples of bootlegs
Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 7 Jan. 2026
But for a few months in 1975, all four members worked in unison to create a masterpiece and perform concerts that became legendary, thanks to bootlegs like the one here.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 11 Dec. 2025
Mariota looked more comfortable than either Patrick Mahomes or Dak Prescott ever looked against VJ's defense, thanks to either getting the ball out super quick -- screens, bootlegs — or by just taking off with the rock and taking his chances.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 1 Dec. 2025
In the six years since its debut, the show has become an internet sensation, with viewers online embracing the musical's campy humor, jaw-dropping stage illusions and sing-along score, with bootlegs of the production going viral on TikTok and YouTube.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 5 Nov. 2025
And that means passing up scramble lanes on bootlegs and dirting the ball in the face of free rushers.
—Nate Atkins, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Now, people who don’t have a technical understanding, there might be bootlegs, but that is scratchy stuff with not very good sound.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
Her source material is a pair of cassette tapes recorded by Dueñez in the ’90s, two of a series of bootlegs that the sonidero and his wife sold at the flea market along the Puente del Papa, a bridge connecting Monterrey’s prosperous city center with its mountainside slums.
—Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 7 Jan. 2026
But for a few months in 1975, all four members worked in unison to create a masterpiece and perform concerts that became legendary, thanks to bootlegs like the one here.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 11 Dec. 2025
Mariota looked more comfortable than either Patrick Mahomes or Dak Prescott ever looked against VJ's defense, thanks to either getting the ball out super quick -- screens, bootlegs — or by just taking off with the rock and taking his chances.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 1 Dec. 2025
In the six years since its debut, the show has become an internet sensation, with viewers online embracing the musical's campy humor, jaw-dropping stage illusions and sing-along score, with bootlegs of the production going viral on TikTok and YouTube.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 5 Nov. 2025
And that means passing up scramble lanes on bootlegs and dirting the ball in the face of free rushers.
—Nate Atkins, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Now, people who don’t have a technical understanding, there might be bootlegs, but that is scratchy stuff with not very good sound.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bootlegs
Noun
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Sugar alcohols are known to cause digestive side effects in some people, such as bloating, gas, and diarrhea, especially when eaten in large portions.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
7 Jan. 2026
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Their approach uses alcohols in combination with an inexpensive, widely available iron catalyst, offering a sustainable and practical solution.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Bessent insists the rescue isn’t a bailout because under the currency swap agreement Argentina exchanges pesos for dollars.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
20 Oct. 2025
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Miami field goal After each team exchanges punts, Miami’s Carter Davis kicks a 41-yard field goal to get UM back within four of Louisville.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Post-Prohibition, when the spirit was flowing back into the United States, planter’s punch became one of many tropical drinks that surged in popularity.—
Jasmine Smith,
Southern Living,
12 Jan. 2026
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Staying well hydrated supports kidney function, while certain drinks may increase inflammation, worsen blood sugar control, or add unnecessary sodium and phosphorus.—
Brittany Poulson,
Verywell Health,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Those restraints are lawful because the NFL collectively bargains them with the NFL players association.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
15 Dec. 2025
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One of the best Cyber Monday bargains out there is this incredible OLED portable from Asus, which is crammed with high-end silicon for peak performance on all of today's top titles.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
30 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Not everyone smuggles them into print in the form of an imaginary friend.—
Ian Parker,
New Yorker,
22 Dec. 2025
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According to Reforma, Rocha, a Mexican businessman who also serves as a consul of Guatemala in Mexico, is considered by FRG to be an alleged leader of a criminal organization that smuggles fuel in boats through the Usumacinta River and then in trucks to Querétaro, Mexico.—
Luke Chinman,
PEOPLE,
26 Nov. 2025
Noun
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However, most apple juices available for purchase have vitamin C added as ascorbic acid, an antioxidant that prevents discoloration and improves the juice's shelf life.—
Angela Ryan Lee,
Verywell Health,
8 Jan. 2026
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People should limit consumption of 100% fruit or vegetable juices.—
Kerry Breen,
CBS News,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
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In its stead, Shelter Distillery will move into the vacant space sometime in early-to-mid 2026, offering guests its own creations, including whiskey, bourbon and agave spirits, as well as vodka, liqueurs, rums, limoncello and even a take on absinthe.—
Brock Keeling,
Oc Register,
30 Dec. 2025
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The former offers a chance to sip local rums made on Kauai and learn about how the island’s wet climate contributes to its agricultural outputs.—
Nora Heston Tarte,
Mercury News,
25 Dec. 2025
Verb
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In a new trailer for The Death of Robin Hood released on January 6, Jackman swaps out his clean-shaven ethos for a rugged silver fox transformation, complete with a long grizzled beard and wiry gray hair.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
6 Jan. 2026
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Follow along as Santa swaps his sleigh for a Carnival cruise ship!—
Lauren Ashley Bishop,
Variety,
4 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bootlegs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bootlegs. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
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