as in alcohol
illegally produced liquor
college students secretly mixing up a batch of white lightning in the school lab
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Recent Examples of white lightning
First, the white lightning… Bill Whitaker: Wow, that gives a punch.
—
Bill Whitaker, CBS News, 28 Dec. 2025
Don’t let the green mist tinged with white lightning and rotating cosmic orifices fool you, however: Ingesting psychedelic drugs is not recommended before watching this film.
—Katie Rife, IndieWire, 12 Mar. 2025
Above the patch is another white lightning bolt.
—Omari Sankofa Ii, Detroit Free Press, 1 Nov. 2021
One, the stereotype is as dated as Moon Pies and white lightning.
—Paul Daugherty, Cincinnati.com, 11 June 2020
Bill Whitaker, CBS News, 28 Dec. 2025
Don’t let the green mist tinged with white lightning and rotating cosmic orifices fool you, however: Ingesting psychedelic drugs is not recommended before watching this film.
—Katie Rife, IndieWire, 12 Mar. 2025
Above the patch is another white lightning bolt.
—Omari Sankofa Ii, Detroit Free Press, 1 Nov. 2021
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
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In the years after Buffy, Brendon, who did not have any kids, spoke out about struggling with depression as well as alcohol and substance addictions, checking into rehab between multiple arrests, including for domestic violence charges and prescription fraud.—
Julia Moore,
PEOPLE,
17 June 2026
-
Smilianska was never asked to take a test for drugs or alcohol.—
Karen Morfitt,
CBS News,
17 June 2026
Noun
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And cops found 61 empty and partially empty booze bottles and cans on his boat when it was salvaged from the water the next day.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
12 June 2026
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Those who prefer a more low-key atmosphere or to skip the booze should try Miles’ neighborhood walking tours, which have spanned sections of Inglewood, View Park-Windsor Hills and Compton.—
Danielle Dorsey,
Los Angeles Times,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
The look was created from tattered bootleg championship shirts in blue, white and orange, which were sourced from vendors in NYC this week.—
Karla Rodriguez,
Footwear News,
18 June 2026
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The album’s official versions smooth out some of the buzzy sibilance of the bootlegs, but Hold Onto Me Infinity accommodates lots of tasteful clangs and wubs.—
H.D. Angel,
Pitchfork,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“White lightning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/white%20lightning. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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