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
-
There’s also a writing desk and a bar area, stocked with local beer and spirits, South African wines and my favorite, Kenya’s classic Amarula liquor.—
Flora Stubbs,
Travel + Leisure,
8 July 2025
-
DeAndre Williams, 22, was charged with first degree reckless homicide with use of a dangerous weapon for killing Romell Campbell, 41, at a West Capital Drive liquor store in September 2024.—
Ariela Lopez,
jsonline.com,
7 July 2025
Noun
-
Officers patrolling the park found the man drinking an open container of alcohol by W. 137th St. and Riverside Drive at about 10:05 p.m. Thursday.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
28 June 2025
-
Steele was arrested in 2024 for driving under the influence of alcohol after a car crash, but has been fighting the charge and is due back in court later this summer.—
A.D. Quig,
Chicago Tribune,
27 June 2025
Noun
-
Amid the frenzied party — which included Sam Reinhart climbing a stripper pole, Brad Marchand crowd surfing and, yes, plenty of booze flowing — a key player might have revealed big news regarding his future with the team.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
20 June 2025
-
The booze was part of it, a likely symptom at first, and later a cause.—
Mark Kriegel
June 4,
Literary Hub,
4 June 2025
Noun
-
Also, Reuters reports that despite rising levels of alcoholism, which is conducive to a myriad of chronic diseases, revisions to the U.S. dietary guidelines under RFK Jr. may loosen federal guidance on alcohol consumption that currently advises no more than one to two daily drinks.—
Joshua P. Cohen,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2025
-
Assembly Bill 2375 aims to keep customers safe and prevent drinks from being spiked with alcohol, date rate drugs or other substances.—
Angela Rodriguez,
Sacbee.com,
1 July 2025
Noun
-
Add pineapple juice, light rum, dark rum, lime juice, banana liqueur, blackberry liqueur, and grenadine to the shaker.—
Elizabeth Nelson,
Southern Living,
8 July 2025
-
The drink blends Gosling’s Black Seal and Amber rums, pineapple and lemon juices, fruit liqueurs, and falernum syrup.—
Robb Report Studio,
Robb Report,
8 July 2025
Noun
-
To disinfect the inside of the refrigerator without bleach or other chemicals, mix one part of white vinegar and two parts of hot water in a spray bottle.—
Taylor Tobin,
Southern Living,
30 June 2025
-
The Chinese lady behind the bar served my father a bottle of Budweiser and a bowl of peanuts.—
Ottessa Moshfegh,
New Yorker,
30 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Firewater.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/firewater. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share