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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Drug and alcohol screenings came back negative.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
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That approach often comes with tradeoffs, like cutting back on alcohol or budgeting differently to afford the classes and trainers who know their name and celebrate their wins.—
Olivia Wakim,
AJC.com,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Surveillance video obtained exclusively by CBS News New York shows Timothy Brown's wrongful arrest by the NYPD inside a Brooklyn liquor store on April 14, 2026.—
Lisa Rozner,
CBS News,
20 Apr. 2026
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New surveillance video from inside a Brooklyn liquor store shows another angle of the rough mistaken identity arrest that ignited a firestorm of criticism, offering a different angle as one of the detectives appears to stomp the prone suspect.—
Rocco Parascandola,
New York Daily News,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
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That means fewer meals before the game, fewer drinks after, and fewer visits to local shops and cafes.—
Jennifer Van Grove,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
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This sturdy, durable iron coffee table provides a convenient spot for you and your guests to set drinks and snacks.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The aperitivo—mid-morning snack accompanied by booze—is a quintessential part of the Rastro experience, so pepper your bargain-sleuthing with boozy pit stops.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Apr. 2026
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The drinks — sodas with fruit, cream, purées and other flavors added in — are especially popular among Mormons as a booze-free beverage option.—
Tanasia Kenney,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Afterward, thousands of giddy fans thronged the malecón, Havana’s seaside promenade, laughing and drinking rum.—
Kate Linthicum,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Apr. 2026
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According to a Reuters report, Bardstown Bourbon Company will continue to produce rum for export for the Lofted Custom Spirits branch, however, which will make up a stunning 50 percent of the distillery’s business this year.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Customized services from the building’s concierge available to all include events such as wine and spirits tastings that will bring neighbors together.—
Mike DeSimone,
Robb Report,
19 Apr. 2026
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The inclement weather was a factor early with slick footballs impacting the passing game, but the group’s spirits remained high.—
Jack Murray,
Boston Herald,
19 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“John Barleycorn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/John%20Barleycorn. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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