WHITE LIGHTNING Synonyms: 20 Similar Words

white lightning

noun

Definition of white lightning

as in alcohol

illegally produced liquor college students secretly mixing up a batch of white lightning in the school lab

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 white lightning One, the stereotype is as dated as Moon Pies and white lightning. — Paul Daugherty, Cincinnati.com, 11 June 2020

Recent Examples of Synonyms for white lightning

Noun

Since 2004, the group has run a learning center for children, raised awareness about drug and alcohol abuse and brought doctors and mobile clinics into this neighborhood with very few basic services.

— Kamala Thiagarajan, NPR, 1 Aug. 2026
The creator of vivid, indelible fantasies for women to try on and to embody was also a fragile and anguished man, troubled throughout his life by alcohol, drug dependency, and bouts of debilitating depression.

— Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of alcohol

Noun

These kids have their run of the island, and there’s ample sun and boats, booze and pot, old friends and new ones at the ready whenever Annie’s journey of self-discovery gets too heavy.

— Ben Travers, IndieWire, 5 Aug. 2026
Though booze and energy drinks are often consumed together, Verster argued that beverages like Red Bull aren’t to blame for bad things that happen when people get drunk.

— Ashley Okwuosa, STAT, 30 July 2026

Definition of booze

Noun

On the streets below, vendors are hawking bootleg merchandise as stragglers from the festivities color the sidewalks with blue-and-orange jerseys and hats.

— Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 3 Aug. 2026
Dart kept the ball multiple times on play-action bootlegs when no one was open.

— Dan Duggan, New York Times, 30 July 2026

Definition of bootleg

Browse Nearby Words

white knights

white lightning

white lightnings

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“White lightning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/white%20lightning. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of white lightning

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

nurture

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

How long is a jiffy?

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Games & Quizzes