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
Researchers found that tanning bed users were nearly three times as likely to develop melanoma — the deadliest form of skin cancer — compared to people who'd never tanned indoors.
—
Maria Godoy, NPR, 14 Dec. 2025
Some types of leather, such as raw or vegetable-tanned leather, should not be cleaned using standard methods and products.
—Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Dec. 2025
Timberland says the Horween Dryden leather, which is tanned in the USA, is desirable for its unique character and soft hand feel.
—Riley Jones, Footwear News, 8 Nov. 2025
Each pair is made in the USA with leather tanned at SB Foot in Red Wing, Minnesota.
—Will Porter, Outside, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tan
Maria Godoy, NPR, 14 Dec. 2025
Some types of leather, such as raw or vegetable-tanned leather, should not be cleaned using standard methods and products.
—Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Dec. 2025
Timberland says the Horween Dryden leather, which is tanned in the USA, is desirable for its unique character and soft hand feel.
—Riley Jones, Footwear News, 8 Nov. 2025
Each pair is made in the USA with leather tanned at SB Foot in Red Wing, Minnesota.
—Will Porter, Outside, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tan
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tan
Verb
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Trump has also repeatedly lashed out over the state’s incarceration of Tina Peters, the former county clerk convicted of state felonies related to her attempts to prove discredited election conspiracies shared by the president.—
Nick Coltrain,
Denver Post,
9 Jan. 2026
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According to Augustinus Bader, apply to brows and lashes morning and night.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The sketch concluded with the librarian licking Moynihan's face with a forked tongue and then unbuttoning her blouse — causing all of the boys' heads to explode.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Nov. 2025
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The first is Christopher Walken as Gabriel, a mean-spirited angel who sniffs and licks crime scenes and inspects children’s teeth for reasons that sort of make sense within the movie.—
Keith Phipps,
Vulture,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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There were some frightening moments early Monday for a Miramar man after police say he was pistol whipped during a home invasion and his French bulldog was stolen.—
Steven Yablonski,
CBS News,
5 Jan. 2026
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Or whips around his defender in a bold pirouette.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Still seething after a sloppy 19-16 loss to the Detroit Lions, Johnson wasn’t hiding his dissatisfaction with a defeat that seemed to diminish his team’s momentum.—
Dan Wiederer,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
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But the jury in the federal civil lawsuit found that Moore violated Gillispie's rights by hiding evidence that would have helped Gillispie's defense and creating unfair lineup procedures for the victims.—
Laura A. Bischoff,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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From penny loafers and tassel loafers to leather and suede variations, there are so many different iterations of the tried-and-true shoe that can fit seamlessly into your closet, no matter your personal style.—
Abby Morgan Lebet,
Glamour,
31 Dec. 2025
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The brand sources leather exclusively from colder climates, where fibers tighten under temperature, ensuring structure without compromising fluidity.—
Skylar Mitchell,
Essence,
10 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Walpole got on the board first, scoring three seconds into the second quarter when Jack English pounded the ball into the end zone on third-and-goal from the one.—
Justin Barrasso,
Boston Herald,
8 Nov. 2025
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Without its dynamic starting quarterback, the Cougars were outpaced by visiting Inglewood, which pounded the rock in a 40-16 victory on Friday at Saddleback College.—
Zach Cavanagh,
Oc Register,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The difference now versus in past years isn’t just in the scale but the sophistication of threats pelted at companies and executives, said Matt Dumpert, a managing director who leads Kroll’s enterprise security risk practice.—
Amanda Gerut,
Fortune,
21 Oct. 2025
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First Amendment groups have accused federal authorities of carrying out excessive tactics, including pelting protesters and the media with tear gas and pepper balls.—
Natasha Korecki,
NBC news,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Major airlines have announced further cancellations to hundreds of flights scheduled through the weekend after more than 1,000 were slashed on Friday.—
Emma Tucker,
CNN Money,
8 Nov. 2025
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Fiserv’s crash came after the compan y slashed its full-year guidance and announced several changes to its executive leadership team.—
Pia Singh,
CNBC,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tan.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tan. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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