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
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2
as in to lick
to strike repeatedly
a time when children were routinely tanned for misbehavior
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tan
Community amenities will include a pool and pool deck with in-water tanning ledges and lap lanes, private cabanas, an outdoor covered patio area, a pet park and spa, a fire pit and outdoor grills, a fitness center and valet trash service.
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Katie Nixon, The Tennessean, 19 Aug. 2025
Use self-tanners instead of tanning outside or using a tanning bed.
—Alex Vance, Parents, 18 Aug. 2025
Donald Trump’s daughter-in-law’s interview Saturday on her Fox News show with Charlamagne Tha God has really gotten under POTUS’ thin and artificially tanned skin – and The Breakfast Club co-host is lovin’ it.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 3 Aug. 2025
Dom Amore: Geno Auriemma is tanned, rested, reloaded to get UConn women a baker’s dozen
Geno Auriemma has been mostly out of sight since the UConn women won the championship.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for tan
Katie Nixon, The Tennessean, 19 Aug. 2025
Use self-tanners instead of tanning outside or using a tanning bed.
—Alex Vance, Parents, 18 Aug. 2025
Donald Trump’s daughter-in-law’s interview Saturday on her Fox News show with Charlamagne Tha God has really gotten under POTUS’ thin and artificially tanned skin – and The Breakfast Club co-host is lovin’ it.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 3 Aug. 2025
Dom Amore: Geno Auriemma is tanned, rested, reloaded to get UConn women a baker’s dozen
Geno Auriemma has been mostly out of sight since the UConn women won the championship.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for tan
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tan
Verb
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The announcement from Iervolino, who is embroiled in financial litigation having recently parted ways with business partner Monika Bakardi, comes as AI actress Tilly Norwood has sparked backlash from the acting community, prompting SAG-AFTRA to lash out.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
1 Oct. 2025
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Imelda pulled away from the Bahamas Monday evening after lashing the islands with heavy rain, tropical storm-force winds and storm surge for two days.—
Briana Waxman,
CNN Money,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In fact, the mischievous pup led his owner directly to the scene of the crime by licking his lips constantly, which seemed awfully curious.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
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Bear 856 is also a large, male brown bear, who is easily identifiable to park rangers due to the animal's unusual habit of licking his lips — a behavior not typically observed in brown bears.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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An overlapping full-back who can whip over a hell of a cross.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
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Pretty sure the border is whipped topping as well.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Target’s sale has discounts on thousands of storage furniture pieces, like this soft and roomy fleece bench with a lift-top and this cabinet that discreetly hides and deodorizes trash cans.—
Jacqueline Tempera,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Oct. 2025
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Johnson sat in the makeup chair for two hours undergoing a transformation process that resulted in the cauliflower ears, a specific browbone piece and other prosthetics, plus hiding his tattoos.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Mounting annoyance manifested itself in bizarre fashion last night when manager Chris Wilder, walking towards the tunnel at half-time, leathered a ball into the crowd in anger, above.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
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Heeled, bubbled, square-toed, strapped or leathered out with metal accents like Longoria’s, the shape is proving its range.—
Maggie Clancy,
Footwear News,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The service itself pulsed with sound with horns blaring, drums pounding and voices rising in song.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
4 Oct. 2025
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Diego Morales Morales pounded pavement over the 12-month period, racking up $10,116 in fuel expenses alone traveling to various counties for meetings and events.—
Kayla Dwyer,
IndyStar,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In a diabolical variation on the real hot-seat technique, students pelt each other with accusations before coming together in a group snuggle that’s at least as disturbing as the emotional—and sometimes physical—violence.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
25 Sep. 2025
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Further north, footage filmed by a resident showed ferocious gusts of wind pelting tall trees in the Batanes province.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Fortunately, Amazon heard my cries and slashed prices on its most popular cozy knits ahead of its fall Prime Day extravaganza, which kicks off on Tuesday, October 7.—
Emily Weaver,
PEOPLE,
4 Oct. 2025
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Two plays later, Preskenis slashed through the left side of the Texans’ defense for a score.—
Pat Wheeler,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tan.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tan. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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