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
Cold beer and soju, Korea’s clear firewater served in little green bottles
Where to try it: When in Seoul, stop by Gold Pig for the best samgyeopsal, Majang Meat Market for the freshest Hanwoo beef, or dine on galbi and bulgogi in the shadow of presidents at the historic Han Il Kwan.
—Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 July 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
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
Cold beer and soju, Korea’s clear firewater served in little green bottles
Where to try it: When in Seoul, stop by Gold Pig for the best samgyeopsal, Majang Meat Market for the freshest Hanwoo beef, or dine on galbi and bulgogi in the shadow of presidents at the historic Han Il Kwan.
—Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 July 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for firewater
Noun
-
Surveillance video obtained exclusively by CBS News New York shows Timothy Brown's wrongful arrest by the NYPD inside a Brooklyn liquor store on April 14, 2026.—
Lisa Rozner,
CBS News,
20 Apr. 2026
-
New surveillance video from inside a Brooklyn liquor store shows another angle of the rough mistaken identity arrest that ignited a firestorm of criticism, offering a different angle as one of the detectives appears to stomp the prone suspect.—
Rocco Parascandola,
New York Daily News,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Eight others were arrested for alleged drug or alcohol intoxication.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
22 Apr. 2026
-
The alcohol-free formula is gentle on baby hairs, while effectively slicking them down all day.—
Danielle James,
Allure,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The hot plate → Gen Z's favorite ready-to-drink cocktails are raising new concerns that their high potency may fuel overconsumption.—
Deirdre Bardolf,
FOXNews.com,
23 Apr. 2026
-
The setting is oiled by a drinks program that continues the marine theme, with cocktails using kelp infusions and botanicals from the Mount Nelson gardens.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The aperitivo—mid-morning snack accompanied by booze—is a quintessential part of the Rastro experience, so pepper your bargain-sleuthing with boozy pit stops.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Apr. 2026
-
The drinks — sodas with fruit, cream, purées and other flavors added in — are especially popular among Mormons as a booze-free beverage option.—
Tanasia Kenney,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Afterward, thousands of giddy fans thronged the malecón, Havana’s seaside promenade, laughing and drinking rum.—
Kate Linthicum,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Apr. 2026
-
According to a Reuters report, Bardstown Bourbon Company will continue to produce rum for export for the Lofted Custom Spirits branch, however, which will make up a stunning 50 percent of the distillery’s business this year.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
It’s understood that there’s nothing more difficult than being a successful editor, therapist, or author, even with a stash of pill bottles in a wicker basket beside an opulent floral arrangement.—
Libby Gelman-Waxner,
New Yorker,
21 Apr. 2026
-
At the core of Porta is a temperature control system designed to adapt to the specific wine bottle housed inside.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Firewater.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/firewater. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
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