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
Santa Claus had triumphed over John Barleycorn.
—
Gary Kamiya, San Francisco Chronicle, 24 Dec. 2021
Gary Kamiya, San Francisco Chronicle, 24 Dec. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for John Barleycorn
Noun
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Mix four tablespoons of the alcohol and four drops of the soap into the one-liter spray bottle.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
29 Oct. 2025
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Paul's blood-alcohol level was three times the legal limit, and he was subsequently charged with three felony counts, including boating under the influence, causing death.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
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According to the Maryland Lottery, the liquor store will receive $500 for selling a winner ticket.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
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As a result, many civil servants are wary of serving baijiu at government functions; others are skirting the rule by disguising the clear liquor as water.—
Reed Albergotti,
semafor.com,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Bubbles make almost every drink better (especially a bottle of bad rosé), and the Breville InFizz Fusion is a stylish, all-purpose sparkling beverage maker that will carbonate so much more than just water.—
Emily Farris,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
31 Oct. 2025
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An improper personal drink was found on the cook’s line.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The Wild West saloon — fully equipped with fans, refrigerators, booze and a television — overlooks a pristine saltwater pool in the center of the quarter-acre yard.—
David Caraccio,
Sacbee.com,
25 Oct. 2025
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Guests are invited to bring their own blankets, picnics, and booze (though concession stands and a beer and wine bar are on-site), and, typically, these events feature DJs before and after the show.—
Sophie-Claire Hoeller,
Vogue,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The latest expression that shatters the 140-proof mark comes from Louisville blender Barrell Craft Spirits, and this is one blend of whiskeys finished in Caribbean rum barrels that should be on any whiskey masochist’s bottle list.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
30 Oct. 2025
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The Matthews distillery opened by friends Matt Simpkins and Thomas Bogan uses North Carolina grains to make a variety of spirits, including whiskey, vodka, rum and gin.—
Heidi Finley,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Those spirits were awakened by several methods, from burying the packet in the ground, to tying macrame-like knots onto the parcels, to driving nails into the amulet—all to fulfill the requests of Congolese practitioners.—
Essence,
Essence,
29 Oct. 2025
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Before the event takes a deadly turn, Harry appears to be in uncharacteristically high spirits in the trailer.—
Yamillah Hurtado,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“John Barleycorn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/John%20Barleycorn. Accessed 1 Nov. 2025.
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