honky-tonk

noun

Definition of honky-tonknext
as in speakeasy

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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 honky-tonk On Sunday, the lineup includes Tatiana Hargreaves, a rising-star in the bluegrass fiddling scene, with her band and special guest Michael Daves; the honky-tonk duo Caleb Lauder and Reeb Wllms with their band the Cali Cutups; and Pleasanton native and all-world strings player Tony Furtado. — Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 30 Apr. 2026 The video was filmed at Fort Worth Stockyards staple Billy Bob’s Texas last fall, according to a spokesperson for the world’s largest honky-tonk. — Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Apr. 2026 Its melody unfolds in legato phrases that drift across the bar line; its harmonic language leans toward George Gershwin’s chromaticism more than Hank Williams’s honky-tonk. — New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026 Watch top country acts and pro bull riders perform at Billy Bob's, the world's largest honky-tonk spanning more than three acres. — Regan Stephens, Travel + Leisure, 24 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for honky-tonk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for honky-tonk
  1. speakeasy
  2. barroom
  3. saloon
  4. tavern
  5. pub
  6. dive
  7. clip joint
Noun
  • The Coconut Grove Bodega opened in 2022 with a secret speakeasy and tasting lounge.
    — Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The speakeasy-style cocktail lounge at The Residences at Six Fisher Island sits just off the Chef’s Table private dining room.
    — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of speakeasy
Noun
  • Throughout their first five albums, the band has spun a web, not unlike the orb weavers of their native Virginia, that marries country, rock, honky-tonk grit and Appalachian soul with rowdy barroom energy.
    — Chris Barilla, PEOPLE, 15 May 2026
  • This fine-dining restaurant puts as much care into its barroom burger as its seven-course tasting menu, letting its open hearth work magic on the double-decker beauty.
    — Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 6 May 2026
Definition of barroom
Noun
  • Kimberly Schlarman, local history supervisor for the Glenview Public Library and a member of the Glenview History Center Board of Directors, said the Glen View House was a saloon by the 1890s, with lodgings on the second floor.
    — Jennifer Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
  • In an interview with the Idaho Statesman regarding the sale, Fitzpatrick alluded to forces beyond his control forcing his hand in listing the saloon.
    — Noah Daly, Idaho Statesman, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of saloon
Noun
  • Some chefs argue there’s a time and place for it, as in more casual settings like breakfast joints or taverns.
    — Maggie Hennessy, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Known for his connections to Richard’s Bar, the old-school tavern where the city’s smoking ordinances never seem to be enforced, Dominic has reputed Outfit ties that go back many years.
    — Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of tavern
Noun
  • With a rich history dating back to 1858, the pier has recently undergone a serious renovation and now features two on-site pubs, food stalls, various rides and one of the country’s few surviving pier theatres.
    — Irenie Forshaw, TheWeek, 3 Sep. 2026
  • That annual challenge was conceived after an argument in a pub over whether a man or a horse would win such a face-off over the unforgiving Welsh terrain.
    — Rob Tanner, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of pub
Noun
  • The full receipts on this $499 investment are still forthcoming, so stay tuned for Allure's deep-dive review (with input from dental professionals) now that the CameraJet is out of the bag.
    — Jenny Bailly, Allure, 1 Sep. 2026
  • While Monday’s deep-dive analysis focused exclusively on SuperBox, Plume warned that dozens of similar streaming devices pose precisely the same threat.
    — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of dive
Noun
  • While not all clip joints offer refreshments, a fair number find this is a popular extra in a competitive industry.
    — Peter Rowe, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Feb. 2024
Definition of clip joint

Browse Nearby Words

honks
honky-tonk
honky-tonks
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Cite this Entry

“Honky-tonk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/honky-tonk. Accessed 6 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on honky-tonk

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about honky-tonk

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