as in alcohol
a distilled beverage that can make a person drunk
she blamed John Barleycorn for the breakdown of their marriage
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Recent Examples of John Barleycorn
And when Traffic reconvened in 1970 to record their comeback album John Barleycorn Must Die, Mason wasn’t involved.
—
Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 22 Apr. 2026
Santa Claus had triumphed over John Barleycorn.
—Gary Kamiya, San Francisco Chronicle, 24 Dec. 2021
Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 22 Apr. 2026
Santa Claus had triumphed over John Barleycorn.
—Gary Kamiya, San Francisco Chronicle, 24 Dec. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for John Barleycorn
Noun
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In the years after Buffy, Brendon, who did not have any kids, spoke out about struggling with depression as well as alcohol and substance addictions, checking into rehab between multiple arrests, including for domestic violence charges and prescription fraud.—
Julia Moore,
PEOPLE,
17 June 2026
-
Smilianska was never asked to take a test for drugs or alcohol.—
Karen Morfitt,
CBS News,
17 June 2026
Noun
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The county’s share of liquor revenue dropped by several hundred thousand dollars, Tripple said, part of a plan executed at the end of the session to divert liquor revenue to state police to make up for straggling wages.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
15 June 2026
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Come get this liquor, come get these drugs, come get this whatever.—
Ronda Racha Penrice,
HollywoodReporter,
15 June 2026
Noun
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For drinks, lean on pre-batched cocktails, a help-yourself bar, freezer-door cocktails or wine.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
18 June 2026
-
Sandlot Social softly opened this week, offering cheap drinks, beer pong, putt-putt and — perhaps most notably — 10 baseball simulators.—
Jenna Thompson
June 18,
Kansas City Star,
18 June 2026
Noun
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And cops found 61 empty and partially empty booze bottles and cans on his boat when it was salvaged from the water the next day.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
12 June 2026
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Those who prefer a more low-key atmosphere or to skip the booze should try Miles’ neighborhood walking tours, which have spanned sections of Inglewood, View Park-Windsor Hills and Compton.—
Danielle Dorsey,
Los Angeles Times,
12 June 2026
Noun
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The latter is inspired by Prohibition-era nightlife, with notes of rum, tobacco, and smooth, velvety orris.—
Ariel Wodarcyk,
InStyle,
15 June 2026
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This cocktail is made with rum, jasmine cardamom syrup, lime, and soda water.—
Aly Walansky,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
Noun
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The railroad got cut to maximize walking spaces while the Haunted Mansion was removed out of respect for Chinese cultural sensitivities regarding death and spirits.—
Caroline Reid,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
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For more than 48 hours, captain Lillian Zulu had been trying to keep her squad's spirits high despite mounting obstacles.—
Ryan Lenora Brown,
NPR,
14 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“John Barleycorn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/John%20Barleycorn. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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