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
While pale skin once signaled status, white women eventually gained the freedom to tan—and to return to that paleness when the trend passed.
—
Nana Regueiro, Vogue, 2 July 2025
This was a tall order, since leather that’s traditionally tanned is very much designed to resist biodegradation, as millenia-old shoes that have been unearthed by archaeologists can attest.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 2 July 2025
When as natural as possible is your ultimate goal, Jergens self tanning lotion is your bestie.
—Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 18 June 2025
Genuine leather has a luxe appeal, feels soft to the touch, and can be biodegradable if it’s tanned without harmful chemicals.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for tan
Nana Regueiro, Vogue, 2 July 2025
This was a tall order, since leather that’s traditionally tanned is very much designed to resist biodegradation, as millenia-old shoes that have been unearthed by archaeologists can attest.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 2 July 2025
When as natural as possible is your ultimate goal, Jergens self tanning lotion is your bestie.
—Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 18 June 2025
Genuine leather has a luxe appeal, feels soft to the touch, and can be biodegradable if it’s tanned without harmful chemicals.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for tan
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tan
Verb
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The president also lashed out on social media against Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, urging the Senate Judiciary Committee chair to ditch a longstanding confirmation practice to expedite the process.—
Savannah Kuchar,
USA Today,
1 Aug. 2025
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President Trump on Friday lashed out at the official who oversees government employment reports after its regular monthly report showed the job market softening significantly this summer in a possible warning sign of an impending recession.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
1 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The Boston Celtics are still licking their wounds following the heartbreaking end to the 2024-25 NBA season.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 July 2025
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And Lil Wayne agrees by licking my face, which is part of the job description for companion dogs.—
Marla Jo Fisher,
Oc Register,
9 July 2025
Verb
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On a Friday night in February on East Sixth Street, a steely-eyed bar doorman rushed around a crowd agitating on the sidewalk and whipped a flashlight above his shoulder.—
Ella McCarthy,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
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While the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has begun rolling back its shoes-off policy at security checkpoints, this ability to whip them off and on in seconds is still majorly convenient for travel.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
29 July 2025
Verb
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Zakrzewski bought a machete during his lunch break, took it home and sharpened it before hiding it and a crowbar, according to court records.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
1 Aug. 2025
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More recently, Geran variants painted black with special material to hide from radar fly higher and with tortuous routes to evade Ukrainian defense teams.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
1 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Underneath her coat, Witherspoon wore an ankle-length black skirt and leather round-toe boots.—
Hannah Jackson,
Vogue,
28 Jan. 2025
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Compare with the Met’s full-size cast, from 1985, and these miniatures cleave the collective anguish into distinct emotions — one figure seems mid-dance, one bored, another ecstatic — in a range of patinas, from dark chocolate to leather.—
Walker Mimms,
New York Times,
23 Jan. 2025
Verb
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There's something uniquely humbling about pounding the pavement for over 26 miles.—
Henry Fan,
Forbes.com,
1 Aug. 2025
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One nationwide study found that teenagers who had been stopped by police a lot often showed signs of post-traumatic stress, like feeling their heart pounding when recalling the event.—
Dr. Marvin So,
Mercury News,
30 July 2025
Verb
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Violent agitators have also smashed windows, pelted agents and the facility with rocks and other objects.—
Michael Dorgan,
FOXNews.com,
16 July 2025
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Heavy rain pelted the rescuers, who also battled fog and 45 mph wind gusts, according to officials.—
Sara Schilling
July 2,
Sacbee.com,
2 July 2025
Verb
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Even at a later point, a constituent said the president unilaterally slashed medical research at the National Institutes of Health and Congress did nothing.—
Obed Manuel,
NPR,
7 Aug. 2025
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Federal grants for another pathway into teaching, Americorps’ Teach for America program, were also recently slashed by the Trump administration.—
Rory Linnane,
jsonline.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tan.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tan. Accessed 10 Aug. 2025.
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