as in liquor
a distilled beverage that can make a person drunk
the bartender recommended a drink made with the local firewater, a potent gin
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 firewater
Nonalcoholic Alternatives Maybe the best route to avoid a hangover is to steer clear of firewater in the first place—easier said than done given the many social pressures around drinking.
—
Emily Peck, WIRED, 31 Dec. 2024
The response from a manager and a bartender toward dinner’s end was to introduce my posse to a Chinese spirit poised to make an appearance on the menu: clear firewater, potent as grappa, poured from a red-and-gold flask into thimble-size shot glasses.
—Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, 17 Mar. 2023
This cocktail is a tribute to Madonna, Queen of Pop, and features mezcal, passionfruit, firewater bitter, Amarena cheery, and a smoking cinnamon stick.
—Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 12 Sep. 2022
Poitín is often called Irish moonshine, but that implies the crude firewater associated with American Prohibition-era bootleggers.
—Liza Weisstuch, BostonGlobe.com, 23 Feb. 2021
The share price of Kweichow Moutai, China’s most exclusive brand of baijiu firewater, continues to soar, hinting at a thirst for luxury tipples among the super-rich.
—The Economist, 23 May 2020
The adult beverages are also pure Colombia, from the top-selling Aguila beer to the country’s official spirit, aguardiente (firewater!), to the sweetest-ever tropical margaritas.
—Allyson Reedy, The Know, 5 Sep. 2019
This version incorporates pineapple, allspice, falernum, spicy firewater, and a pinch of the superfood powder known as Blue Majik.
—Brittany Martin, Los Angeles Magazine, 19 Feb. 2018
Either is perfect with the grapefruit, lime, agave, firewater bitters and a Tajín-speckled cucumber slice.
—Michele Parente, sandiegouniontribune.com, 18 Oct. 2017
Emily Peck, WIRED, 31 Dec. 2024
The response from a manager and a bartender toward dinner’s end was to introduce my posse to a Chinese spirit poised to make an appearance on the menu: clear firewater, potent as grappa, poured from a red-and-gold flask into thimble-size shot glasses.
—Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, 17 Mar. 2023
This cocktail is a tribute to Madonna, Queen of Pop, and features mezcal, passionfruit, firewater bitter, Amarena cheery, and a smoking cinnamon stick.
—Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 12 Sep. 2022
Poitín is often called Irish moonshine, but that implies the crude firewater associated with American Prohibition-era bootleggers.
—Liza Weisstuch, BostonGlobe.com, 23 Feb. 2021
The share price of Kweichow Moutai, China’s most exclusive brand of baijiu firewater, continues to soar, hinting at a thirst for luxury tipples among the super-rich.
—The Economist, 23 May 2020
The adult beverages are also pure Colombia, from the top-selling Aguila beer to the country’s official spirit, aguardiente (firewater!), to the sweetest-ever tropical margaritas.
—Allyson Reedy, The Know, 5 Sep. 2019
This version incorporates pineapple, allspice, falernum, spicy firewater, and a pinch of the superfood powder known as Blue Majik.
—Brittany Martin, Los Angeles Magazine, 19 Feb. 2018
Either is perfect with the grapefruit, lime, agave, firewater bitters and a Tajín-speckled cucumber slice.
—Michele Parente, sandiegouniontribune.com, 18 Oct. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for firewater
Noun
-
Matthew and Camila, who co-founded the Pantalones Organic Tequila brand, partnered with Princess back in October 2024 to bring their liquor on board the company’s fleet.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Moonshine While moonshine may have bootlegging roots, the perfectly legal formula that exists today can be found at liquor stores and distilleries across the South.—
Melinda Salchert,
Southern Living,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Powell gave up alcohol during filming.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
30 Sep. 2025
-
The outlets added that Flores is on probation from a 2023 conviction involving a gun and DUI, which bars him from possessing firearms or drinking alcohol.—
Christina Coulter,
PEOPLE,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The question, delivered via pay phone, is an old security prompt, and Bob, with a memory fried by pot and booze, cannot remember the answer.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
26 Sep. 2025
-
During Prohibition, waiters famously slipped sips of bootleg booze to patrons from flasks tucked inside their apron pockets.—
Alexandra Emanuelli,
Southern Living,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The omakase experience is $80 per person and will include 11 courses and a welcome drink.—
Rachel Bernhard,
jsonline.com,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Each card had a corresponding cocktail that went with it, which left the final drink of the night in fate’s hands.—
Maggie Menderski,
Louisville Courier Journal,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Since developing the coffee program at Yum Village, where Nyles crafted coffee beverages infused with Afro-Caribbean flavors like lattes flavored with buttered rum and scotch bonnets, Hold Me Closer XX is now located inside the Corktown production studio 1301 Studios.—
Lyndsay C. Green,
Freep.com,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Sub a spiced or dark rum for the white to get more depth and caramely notes.—
Marianne Williams,
Southern Living,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Empty, plastic reusable bottles.—
Haadiza Ogwude,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
5 Oct. 2025
-
Of course, this will all vary depending on which barrel your bottle comes from, and whether or not any of these are relevant sense memories for you.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
5 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Firewater.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/firewater. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share