1
chiefly British
a
: molasses
b
: a blend of molasses, invert sugar, and corn syrup used as syrup
called also golden syrup
2
: something (such as a tone of voice) heavily sweet and cloying
3
: a medicinal compound formerly in wide use as a remedy against poison
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Treacle begins in ancient Greece. The Greek word thēriakos, meaning "of a wild animal," came from thērion ("wild animal"). Since wild animals are often known to bite, these words gave rise to thēriakē, meaning "antidote against a poisonous bite." Latin borrowed thēriakē as theriaca. Those roots gave life to treacle referring to molasses (developing from the "antidote" sense). The "molasses" sense was extended to things excessively sweet or sentimental.
Examples of treacle in a Sentence
The book is ruined by all the treacle about his childhood.
Recent Examples on the Web
Our director, dear old Bob Wise, did keep it from falling over the edge into a sea of treacle.
—
Rance Collins, IndieWire, 2 Aug. 2025
Tastes of dark chocolate, treacle, soy, and a salty tang that keeps your palate guessing with each sip.
—Hudson Lindenberger, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025
Freeform’s The Bold Type has just the right mix of goofiness and treacle for this gal’s smooth, hopeful nighttime brain.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 11 July 2025
Save room for dessert, a sticky treat of medjool dates, black treacle, baharat chantilly and crumble.
—Joanne Shurvell, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for treacle
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Rance Collins, IndieWire, 2 Aug. 2025
Tastes of dark chocolate, treacle, soy, and a salty tang that keeps your palate guessing with each sip.
—Hudson Lindenberger, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025
Freeform’s The Bold Type has just the right mix of goofiness and treacle for this gal’s smooth, hopeful nighttime brain.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 11 July 2025
Save room for dessert, a sticky treat of medjool dates, black treacle, baharat chantilly and crumble.
—Joanne Shurvell, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for treacle
Cite this Entry
“Treacle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/treacle. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
treacle
noun
trea·cle
ˈtrē-kəl 
: a medicinal compound formerly in wide use as a remedy against poison
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