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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The center specializes in alcohol addiction treatment, including alcoholism, alcohol dependence, alcohol abuse and binge drinking.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
20 May 2026
-
Jackson was indicted on 10 criminal counts in 2003, including child molestation, administering an intoxicating agent (alcohol) to a minor, and conspiracy to commit child abduction and false imprisonment.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
20 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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True to form, the film opens with Oli getting stratospherically high on booze, cocaine and maybe some heroin at his own birthday party in The Castle, a local pub everyone has been going to for years.—
Leslie Felperin,
HollywoodReporter,
22 May 2026
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In a slower booze market, the winning drink may be the one that asks the least from the consumer.—
Noel Burgess,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
Noun
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Order the Atlantic Waters (coconut rum, coconut purée, blue curaçao, and lime) with your toes in the sand.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
19 May 2026
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Coins meant for rice or kerosene slid across the counter and came back white rum hot as apology.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
19 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 25 May. 2026.
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