1
as in to wait
to continue to be in a place for a significant amount of time
upon seeing the sun beginning to sink in the sky, we realized we had tarried too long on the summit of the mountain
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to linger
to move or act slowly
the dean tarried in making his decision, still not sure if he should suspend the student or not
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to stay
to reside as a temporary guest
he tarried with us all summer, sleeping on the screened-in porch most nights
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of tarry
Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 12 June 2025
Read More: 10 New Year's Traditions From Across the Globe
There was still much reason to pray after Jan. 1, 1863, and so tarrying in prayer on New Year’s Eve became an annual tradition.
—Nyya Toussaint / Made By History, TIME, 31 Dec. 2024
Esther Mobley, SFChronicle.com, 1 Sep. 2020
Ingestion of sago palm leaves, seeds or other plant parts causes liver failure, usually signaled by drooling, vomiting, diarrhea or a tarry black stool, depression, appetite loss, abdominal pain, lethargy and jaundice.
—Kim Campbell Thornton, sacbee, 14 Mar. 2018
See All Example Sentences for tarry
Verb
America grew up with these boys and tarried with them through light and dark times.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 12 June 2025
Read More: 10 New Year's Traditions From Across the Globe
There was still much reason to pray after Jan. 1, 1863, and so tarrying in prayer on New Year’s Eve became an annual tradition.
—Nyya Toussaint / Made By History, TIME, 31 Dec. 2024
Adjective
Often, Petite Sirah produces a wine that is too tarry, too dense, too chewy.
—Esther Mobley, SFChronicle.com, 1 Sep. 2020
Ingestion of sago palm leaves, seeds or other plant parts causes liver failure, usually signaled by drooling, vomiting, diarrhea or a tarry black stool, depression, appetite loss, abdominal pain, lethargy and jaundice.
—Kim Campbell Thornton, sacbee, 14 Mar. 2018
See All Example Sentences for tarry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tarry
Noun
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Service, on my visits, was a bit spacey, but it’s been tightening up; the tone of the place seems to be in progress, too, oscillating between that of a neighborhood joint, an amorous date-night nook, and a sceney hot spot.—
Helen Rosner,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
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Charles visited the United States 19 times as Prince of Wales; his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, made four state visits over her 70-year reign.—
Robert Abitbol,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Judging from the lack of blood on other wounds to the body, the murderer waited perhaps half an hour for the blood to completely drain.—
Patrick Salland,
Kansas City Star,
7 Apr. 2026
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Sellers are now more worried about that wait time.—
Diana Olick,
CNBC,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Just the check, the soft clatter of plates and that lingering smell of basil and coconut that follows you out the door.—
Timothy DePeugh,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Apr. 2026
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The children are now in the fourth grade, but Thompson believes their friend’s death has had a lingering impact on their lives.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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On the Porters’ season-opening trip to Tennessee, O’Leary did not start in any of the four games, but the junior infielder/pitcher stayed ready.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Apr. 2026
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The other day, a squad of dancers stretched and limbered up in the halls as, outside, the lions stayed still.—
Naaman Zhou,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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From having the viscous juices of decomposed leaves that kept her plump leak through a tear in her side, as happened to a few of her siblings.—
María Ospina,
The Dial,
31 Mar. 2026
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When Gwar plays, clubgoers are advised not to slip in the spurt of blood and other viscous fluids.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Thunder entered the night two games ahead of San Antonio in the race for homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs with six games remaining.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 Apr. 2026
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Even as prices rise, demand remains steady and drivers continue to feel the strain.—
Richard Ramos,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The contest was delayed for about 10 minutes in the fourth after plate umpire Ron Kulpa exited due to taking a foul ball off his mask.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
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Along with Buttó, right-hander Hayden Birdsong underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery, while right-handers Joel Peguero (Grade 2 hamstring strain) and left-hander Reiver Sanmartin (right hip flexor) sustained injuries that delayed the starts to their seasons.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
4 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Within moments, the toy’s gelatinous interior exploded, dousing scalding material across his face and hands.—
Hannah Nwoko,
Parents,
23 Feb. 2026
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The new Dior Addict Lip Glow Oil is less gelatinous than its predecessor.—
Tamim Alnuweiri,
InStyle,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tarry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tarry. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
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