1
as in to lash
to strike repeatedly with something long and thin or flexible
Grandpa told us that when he was a kid, if he misbehaved at all, his father would tan his backside with a belt
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in to lick
to strike repeatedly
a time when children were routinely tanned for misbehavior
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 tan
The waste from a single large agave piña can produce enough biopolymers to co-formulate the retannage — an additional treatment after tanning where leather is exposed to chemicals or natural agents to fine-tune its feel — of roughly 80 hides.
—
Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 2 Apr. 2026
His skin is tanned, similar to a Lunarian king.
—Tyler Erzberger, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
Tessum, 36, tall, lean, and tanned, already has two world records for trips to the North Pole.
—Jen Murphy, Robb Report, 8 Mar. 2026
Her privileged best friend, coming off an unsatisfying nose job, takes the drug and shows up the next day blonde, tanned and ready for the runway.
—Hunter Ingram, Variety, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tan
Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 2 Apr. 2026
His skin is tanned, similar to a Lunarian king.
—Tyler Erzberger, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
Tessum, 36, tall, lean, and tanned, already has two world records for trips to the North Pole.
—Jen Murphy, Robb Report, 8 Mar. 2026
Her privileged best friend, coming off an unsatisfying nose job, takes the drug and shows up the next day blonde, tanned and ready for the runway.
—Hunter Ingram, Variety, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tan
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tan
Verb
-
The decision comes after Trump lashed out at the German Chancellor Friedrich Merz over his criticism of the US war with Iran.—
Charbel Mallo,
CNN Money,
3 May 2026
-
Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt lashed out at his opponents in a new attack ad.—
Tom Wait,
CBS News,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
Gilgeous-Alexander licked his chops at what Game 1 presented.—
Joel Lorenzi,
New York Times,
6 May 2026
-
But host Kristen Kish is licking her lips at the prospect of taking the show even further afield in the future.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
The ride travels on an elliptical track and whips riders around bends.—
Finch Walker,
USA Today,
8 May 2026
-
Real estate agents whipped out their phones to put a hard sell on anything east of I-95.—
Pat Beall,
Sun Sentinel,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Prosecutors would later allege Ruben helped his son hide Smart’s body under the family’s deck before relocating her remains.—
Chelsea Bailey,
CNN Money,
8 May 2026
-
Unfortunately, the state legislature’s response to LAO’s wise warnings is not to demand more accurate information, but to allow the agency to hide important data from taxpayers.—
Baruch Feigenbaum,
Oc Register,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
The main space includes a custom kitchen with an induction Verona stove, leathered granite counters and a large copper farmhouse sink.—
Kaitlyn Keegan,
Hartford Courant,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Inside, the home features 10-foot coffered ceilings, white oak floors, and a kitchen with a La Cornue range and light leathered marble countertops.—
BusinessDen,
Denver Post,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Charlotte area received 2 to 2 1/2 inches of sometimes pounding rain this week, according to the National Weather Service.—
Joe Marusak,
Charlotte Observer,
8 May 2026
-
Larnach’s two-run double in the fourth inning on Tuesdsay split the gap and broke the game open as the Twins pounded the Washington Nationals 11-3 at Nationals Park.—
Dan Hayes,
New York Times,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
Benavidez, even when being backed down by Ramirez, delivered his signature rapid-fire combinations, usually pelting his opponent's head.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 May 2026
-
On Saturday night, Curtis Nager grabbed a flashlight and left his home in unincorporated Parker County, about four miles south of Springtown, to check the outside of his property after a tornado and heavy hail pelted the area.—
Samuel O’Neal
April 27,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Lufthansa, one of the biggest carriers in Europe, slashed 20,000 short-haul flights through October due in part to fuel costs.—
Spencer Kimball,
CNBC,
6 May 2026
-
Earlier in the film, Kenobi slashes off the arm of a creature who was known then as Walrus Man and is known now as Ponda Baba.—
Mike Ryan,
IndieWire,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tan.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tan. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
