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
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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Drugs or alcohol do not appear to be factors in the crash, police said.—
Caleb Lunetta,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 May 2026
-
Chloe entered rehab in September 2012 After years of struggling with an eating disorder and drug and alcohol addiction, Chloe went to rehab in September 2012.—
Lynsey Eidell,
PEOPLE,
13 May 2026
Noun
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And with it, brothers Peter, David and Jack Baker have for 12 years cultivated a craft distillery in Litchfield, yes with a still that, to an outsider, could resemble art or a science project, and a tasting room loaded with tasty liquor, maple syrup and plenty of swag.—
Emily M. Olson,
Hartford Courant,
17 May 2026
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For an adults-only treat, Cone Heads also has a full liquor bar, plus wine and beer (including the house 30E draft).—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
17 May 2026
Noun
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The tabletop lid comes with four drink holders, and the latch and lock closure keeps the contents secure.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
14 May 2026
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Even one drink of alcohol damages the immune system, lowering its ability to battle invaders within 20 minutes of consumption.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
14 May 2026
Noun
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The onsite eatery’s delectable dumpling soup and terrific teriyaki salmon more than make up for the spirited sin of their signature cocktail being made the wrong booze.—
David Dickstein,
Oc Register,
13 May 2026
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Since Irene’s death, Antoine, miserable and pickled in booze, has rattled around in their Paris villa nestled in a leafy garden, with an art studio gathering dust.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
12 May 2026
Noun
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The new Sunny Sipper Margarita features Don Julio tequila, coconut rum, blue curaçao, pineapple juice and lime, while the Belly Floppin' Melon Margarita has tequila, vodka, triple sec and lime.—
Chiara Kim,
PEOPLE,
12 May 2026
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Guests who prefer imbibing to detoxing can also book cigar-rolling workshops, wine and rum tastings, and even personalized private dinners in Le Cave, which is the oldest wine cellar in the region and down the stairs from L’Oursin.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 May 2026
Noun
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Activist spirits might dismiss this emphasis on the purely sonic as a strategy of avoidance, although the likes of Feizabadi and Kourliandski can’t be accused of sitting idly by.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
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There are flavored vodkas like strawberry and blueberry, agave spirits and gin.—
Emily M. Olson,
Hartford Courant,
17 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“John Barleycorn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/John%20Barleycorn. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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