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
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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
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More From Forbes ByChris Perugini Chris Perugini’s introduction to whiskey came at a time when Scotch was cheap, bourbon collected dust on liquor store shelves, and the only person drinking Manhattans was your grandfather.—
Chris Perugini,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
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Also introduced is the new castmember, Jeremiah Dunmire (Robert Patrick), a powerful person in the liquor business.—
Lexi Carson,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Savannah and Harvey spoke about the severity of Chase's alcohol usage.—
Dory Jackson,
People.com,
3 Sep. 2025
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In the wound care section, a selection of bandages, dressings, and medical tape, along with antiseptic wipes, alcohol swabs, triple antibiotic ointment, and two manuals (one for dogs and one for people) is available.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Plus, a number of these recipes can be made sans booze (like the vodka cherry limeade) to satisfy a crew of all ages.—
Betsy Cribb Watson,
Southern Living,
27 Aug. 2025
-
There was no booze and no drugs.—
River Selby
August 25,
Literary Hub,
25 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Guests can browse local vendors, sip on drinks, and catch live music from Jade Flores while enjoying yard games and photo ops under the market lights.—
Tiffani Jackson Skinner,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Sep. 2025
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Passengers in all classes will enjoy complimentary food and drinks.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Simply place your bottle of vodka, rum, tequila—any spirit with more than 40% alcohol by volume (ABV) or 80 proof—in the freezer.—
Karla Walsh,
Southern Living,
30 Aug. 2025
-
The Shawnee turned this around, demanding generous treatment by symbolically identifying rum as the milk of the royal parent.—
Livia Gershon,
JSTOR Daily,
30 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The Jays weren’t going to pop bottles of champagne in the clubhouse after a sweep and wear ski goggles to keep the streaming beer out of their eyes.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Use a spray bottle to thoroughly mist the couch with neutral cleaner.—
Hallie Milstein,
Southern Living,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Firewater.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/firewater. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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