John Barleycorn

noun

Definition of John Barleycornnext
as in alcohol
a distilled beverage that can make a person drunk she blamed John Barleycorn for the breakdown of their marriage

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for John Barleycorn
  1. alcohol
  2. liquor
  3. drink
  4. booze
  5. rum
  6. spirits
Noun
  • The compounding frustrations of this situation, fueled by too much alcohol, finally expose Uta’s double life.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Mountain Rescue Aspen has responded to a rising number of calls involving drug and alcohol use this season.
    — The Aspen Times, Denver Post, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of alcohol
Noun
  • Pham and Salerno, represented by Christopher McCartan, say that Lavery killed Collins by hitting her over the head with a Fireball liquor bottle and stabbing her more than 130 times.
    — Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The trio also operate four Quarterdeck restaurants in South Florida and a pair of classy brown-liquor lounges named Whiskey Neat.
    — Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of liquor
Noun
  • Servers take orders for espresso drinks and hot made-to-order dishes like fresh omelettes.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Oct. 2026
  • This spirit makes drinks that pair perfectly with the season as the leaves fall and the sweaters come out of the back of the closet.
    — Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of drink
Noun
  • There's also a full list of wine, beer, and cocktails—not always the case at health spas—though booze is extra.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The partial Canadian ban on US booze has been painful for the American industry.
    — Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of booze
Noun
  • The ground floor features an 18-seat bar with a rum wall backsplash, carved Moai heads and high-tops that spill out to a lush faux-grass courtyard framed in palm trees and tiki-totem pillars.
    — Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Day trip options include excursions to rum distillery Appleton Estate and a visit to YS Falls for ziplining and swimming.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of rum
Noun
  • An emphasis on local artisans can be seen in everything from the restaurant’s clay tableware to the spirits used in The Bar’s impressive craft cocktail list.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • While looks at the show leaned into the designer’s ethereal, romantic spirits, this was also an exercise in literary self-portraiture.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of spirits

Browse Nearby Words

john
John Barleycorn
John Barleycorns
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Cite this Entry

“John Barleycorn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/John%20Barleycorn. Accessed 12 Oct. 2026.

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