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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Noel was arrested and charged with hit-and-run with property damage, driving while impaired, driving with no liability insurance, and driving with an open container of alcohol, officials said.—
Mark Price
April 1,
Charlotte Observer,
1 Apr. 2026
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Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and other stimulants before bed.—
Heather Jones,
Verywell Health,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Since then there have been sporadic signs of life regarding the venue, mostly to do with liquor licensing and permit requests, such as last October when a company called Dome Center LLC filed an application for a conditional-use permit.—
Mark Olsen,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Apr. 2026
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As for HeadFlyer, Miller said that their drinks will still be sold at restaurants and liquor stores.—
Conor Wight,
CBS News,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
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According to the brand, the 40-ounce bottle keeps drinks cold for up to 34 hours and hot for up to 12 hours.—
Izzy Baskette,
PEOPLE,
2 Apr. 2026
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Fresh mint and crushed ice combine with the spirit in a drink that radiates spring.—
Shilpa Uskokovic,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
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That said, many frequent fliers have found ways to give their beverage a boost and even score free booze in economy seats.—
Joey Skladany,
Travel + Leisure,
2 Apr. 2026
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Keep the booze flowing at White Stadium during professional women’s soccer matches, the Boston City Council said when rejecting a measure that sought to uphold state law restricting alcohol at public school facilities.—
Gayla Cawley,
Boston Herald,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
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While the pastry typically has a slight rum taste, the Trader Joe's version has a vanilla flavor.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
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Fresh juices, quality rums, pristine drinkmaking technique — the Cove stupefied with its faultless approach.—
Scott Hocker,
TheWeek,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Ancient Mayans later believed cenotes were sacred portals to the underworld, where gods and spirits dwelled.—
Ryan Brennan,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Apr. 2026
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Ancient Mayans believed cenotes were sacred portals to the underworld, where gods and spirits dwelled.—
Ryan Brennan
April 4,
Miami Herald,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“John Barleycorn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/John%20Barleycorn. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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