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
Relevance
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
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
-
Fruit, ginger shots, sea moss beverages, tea, and water were on hand, in alignment with her alcohol-free rider and commitment to sobriety.—
DeMicia Inman,
VIBE.com,
18 Mar. 2026
-
But one arena that California has lagged far behind the rest of the nation is in the combination of cannabis and alcohol sales.—
Jeff Burkhart,
Mercury News,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Two Detroit residents face murder charges in connection with a fatal stabbing at a liquor store, the Wayne County Prosecutor's office said.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Misusing liquor and alcohol-based cleaning products is another concern for adults, especially in cases involving self-harm attempts or substance abuse.—
Gina Lee Castro,
jsonline.com,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Staff are happy to offer local recommendations for food, drink, hikes, and more, or to help arrange gear for a beach day or hike.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Limit alcohol and drinks high in sugar or caffeine, which can accelerate dehydration.—
Hannah Dreyfus,
AZCentral.com,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Besides abstaining from booze, scientists also don’t have a bulletproof way to prevent hangovers.—
Lauren J. Young,
Scientific American,
17 Mar. 2026
-
In the mid-1970s, the long net of the Florida Keys swept up a generation of countercultural refuse in a web of free love, plentiful drugs, and cheap booze.—
Jack Crosbie,
Rolling Stone,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Feel free to swap the bourbon for brandy or dark rum.—
Mary Shannon Wells,
Southern Living,
15 Mar. 2026
-
It’s meant to mimic the iconic KCTV5 tower and has aged rum, Mazzura aperitif, lime, tepache, and a puff of pineapple foam on top.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
And the Bruins accomplished this without Tyler Bilodeau, who looked good enough to raise Cronin’s spirits during Thursday’s practice but woke up with stiffness in his right knee on Friday.—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
21 Mar. 2026
-
The global spirits market may have slowed down, but the popularity of tequila has skyrocketed over the past few years.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
21 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“John Barleycorn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/John%20Barleycorn. Accessed 23 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
