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 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
Black treacle is the stronger tasting and bittersweet option, while the light version of treacle is the one called golden syrup and is by far the more popular of the two.
—Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 25 Jan. 2024
Big fresh fruit aromas, as well as treacle and bourbon biscuits.
—Tom Mullen, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for treacle 
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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
Black treacle is the stronger tasting and bittersweet option, while the light version of treacle is the one called golden syrup and is by far the more popular of the two.
—Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 25 Jan. 2024
Big fresh fruit aromas, as well as treacle and bourbon biscuits.
—Tom Mullen, Forbes, 25 Feb. 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 1 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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