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
But stirring moments become forgettable treacle when piled on top of one another.
—
Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 6 Dec. 2024
Australia need to rediscover their aura and physical presence on the pitch after treading water and through treacle.
—Tim Ellis, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024
But that suggestion is the latest to get caught up in regulatory treacle as Google tries to placate ad industry concerns.
—Zak Doffman, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024
The main hotel's afternoon trestles laid with slices of strudel, mortadella, and pecorino sandwiches—complimentary to guests—are taken with treacle thick espressos or Aperols, depending on your poison.
—Jemima Sissons, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for treacle 
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Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 6 Dec. 2024
Australia need to rediscover their aura and physical presence on the pitch after treading water and through treacle.
—Tim Ellis, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024
But that suggestion is the latest to get caught up in regulatory treacle as Google tries to placate ad industry concerns.
—Zak Doffman, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024
The main hotel's afternoon trestles laid with slices of strudel, mortadella, and pecorino sandwiches—complimentary to guests—are taken with treacle thick espressos or Aperols, depending on your poison.
—Jemima Sissons, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for treacle
Dictionary Entries Near treacle
Cite this Entry
“Treacle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/treacle. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.
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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