as in liquor
a distilled beverage that can make a person drunk
the bartender recommended a drink made with the local firewater, a potent gin
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 firewater
Nonalcoholic Alternatives Maybe the best route to avoid a hangover is to steer clear of firewater in the first place—easier said than done given the many social pressures around drinking.
—
Emily Peck, WIRED, 31 Dec. 2024
The response from a manager and a bartender toward dinner’s end was to introduce my posse to a Chinese spirit poised to make an appearance on the menu: clear firewater, potent as grappa, poured from a red-and-gold flask into thimble-size shot glasses.
—Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, 17 Mar. 2023
This cocktail is a tribute to Madonna, Queen of Pop, and features mezcal, passionfruit, firewater bitter, Amarena cheery, and a smoking cinnamon stick.
—Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 12 Sep. 2022
Poitín is often called Irish moonshine, but that implies the crude firewater associated with American Prohibition-era bootleggers.
—Liza Weisstuch, BostonGlobe.com, 23 Feb. 2021
The share price of Kweichow Moutai, China’s most exclusive brand of baijiu firewater, continues to soar, hinting at a thirst for luxury tipples among the super-rich.
—The Economist, 23 May 2020
The adult beverages are also pure Colombia, from the top-selling Aguila beer to the country’s official spirit, aguardiente (firewater!), to the sweetest-ever tropical margaritas.
—Allyson Reedy, The Know, 5 Sep. 2019
This version incorporates pineapple, allspice, falernum, spicy firewater, and a pinch of the superfood powder known as Blue Majik.
—Brittany Martin, Los Angeles Magazine, 19 Feb. 2018
Either is perfect with the grapefruit, lime, agave, firewater bitters and a Tajín-speckled cucumber slice.
—Michele Parente, sandiegouniontribune.com, 18 Oct. 2017
Emily Peck, WIRED, 31 Dec. 2024
The response from a manager and a bartender toward dinner’s end was to introduce my posse to a Chinese spirit poised to make an appearance on the menu: clear firewater, potent as grappa, poured from a red-and-gold flask into thimble-size shot glasses.
—Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, 17 Mar. 2023
This cocktail is a tribute to Madonna, Queen of Pop, and features mezcal, passionfruit, firewater bitter, Amarena cheery, and a smoking cinnamon stick.
—Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 12 Sep. 2022
Poitín is often called Irish moonshine, but that implies the crude firewater associated with American Prohibition-era bootleggers.
—Liza Weisstuch, BostonGlobe.com, 23 Feb. 2021
The share price of Kweichow Moutai, China’s most exclusive brand of baijiu firewater, continues to soar, hinting at a thirst for luxury tipples among the super-rich.
—The Economist, 23 May 2020
The adult beverages are also pure Colombia, from the top-selling Aguila beer to the country’s official spirit, aguardiente (firewater!), to the sweetest-ever tropical margaritas.
—Allyson Reedy, The Know, 5 Sep. 2019
This version incorporates pineapple, allspice, falernum, spicy firewater, and a pinch of the superfood powder known as Blue Majik.
—Brittany Martin, Los Angeles Magazine, 19 Feb. 2018
Either is perfect with the grapefruit, lime, agave, firewater bitters and a Tajín-speckled cucumber slice.
—Michele Parente, sandiegouniontribune.com, 18 Oct. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for firewater
Noun
-
Two men have been indicted on federal charges of possessing guns in a school zone, though the case stems from a shootout across the street from an elementary school, in a liquor store parking lot, court records show.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Cannabis lounges are prohibited from selling beer, wine and liquor, and restaurants and bars serving alcohol are prohibited from selling marijuana products.—
Tiney Ricciardi,
Denver Post,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and other stimulants before bed.—
Heather Jones,
Verywell Health,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
Fresh mint and crushed ice combine with the spirit in a drink that radiates spring.—
Shilpa Uskokovic,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
Besides abstaining from booze, scientists also don’t have a bulletproof way to prevent hangovers.—
Lauren J. Young,
Scientific American,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
Fresh juices, quality rums, pristine drinkmaking technique — the Cove stupefied with its faultless approach.—
Scott Hocker,
TheWeek,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
There are also water stations on multiple floors with both still and sparkling options that make the reusable bottles actually useful.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Police searched the house and found a Powerade bottle that was largely empty, but contained some residue at the bottom.—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Firewater.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/firewater. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
