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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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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Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and other stimulants before bed.—
Heather Jones,
Verywell Health,
10 June 2026
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The state patrol says alcohol wasn't involved and both women were wearing their seat belts.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
10 June 2026
Noun
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But people more commonly associate sports with beer, Nesin said, so the World Cup will be a bigger boost to their business than liquor.—
Jordan Valinsky,
CNN Money,
8 June 2026
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One person was taken to the hospital after a fire broke out early Monday at a bar and liquor store in Chicago's Irving Park neighborhood.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
8 June 2026
Noun
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The hotel's Ajax Tavern, directly facing the mountain, has indoor and outdoor seating and is a great spot for a drink or hot bowl of soup (or, why not, a Wagyu cheeseburger with truffle fries) while watching people make their final runs down at the end of the day.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 June 2026
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The bar offers wall-to-wall TVs, food, drinks and game day specials.—
DeJanay Booth-Singleton,
CBS News,
12 June 2026
Noun
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The dark spirit might be more commonly thought of as a cozy, cool-weather sipper or associated with booze-forward drinks served up, but there’s plenty of reason to enjoy it in the summer too, and this cocktail proves why.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
6 June 2026
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What transpires is the best scene in the movie, following two people lifted by collaboration, bonded through booze and creativity, freely sharing notes on each other’s songs.—
Adam Graham,
Boston Herald,
4 June 2026
Noun
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What honors the Caribbean the most is definitely showcasing these flavors, these combinations, but also the stories behind the people who make this happen and create these beautiful rums and spirits out there — families who have created these rums for generations and aren’t the owners anymore.—
Kate Bradshaw,
Mercury News,
9 June 2026
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There are no kitchen workers scouring pots or raconteurs drinking rum punch; most of the figures seem utterly incapable of offering directions or telling a joke, much less running, sweating, or allowing blood to flow through their veins.—
Zachary Fine,
New Yorker,
8 June 2026
Noun
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Call it fate or family tree, Anna Prillaman was born into the craft and culture of spirits.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
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And getting the word out that everybody needs to watch and celebrate because the show is going to lift your spirits and bring a smile to your face.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
7 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“John Barleycorn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/John%20Barleycorn. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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