Synonyms of tan

tan

verb

ˈtan 

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

• lash
• whip
• leather
• whale
• slash
• hide
• switch
• flick
• birch
• flagellate
• cowhide
• cut
• scourge
• rawhide
• hit
• lick
• slap
• flog
• spank
• horsewhip
• knock
• punch
• thrash
• strap
• bat
• flail
• bang
• pound
• maul
• cane
• smack
• clip
• swipe
• quirt
• whack
• box
• pelt
• beat
• touch up
• club
• clap
• slate
• thump
• rough
• knout
• swat
• lam
• belt
• blackjack
• sock
• lather
• slug
• crack
• paddle
• paste
• cuff
• bop
• cudgel
• lace
• clout
• work over
• batter
• bust
• buffet
• fustigate
• smite
• bash
• bung
• baste
• hammer
• clobber
• pummel
• pommel
• fib
• thwack
• bludgeon
• mangle
• thresh
• whop
• slog
• drub
• whup
• wallop
• pistol-whip
• belabor
• tromp
• lambaste

2

as in to lick

to strike repeatedly

a time when children were routinely tanned for misbehavior

Synonyms & Similar Words

• lick
• hide
• pound
• lash
• pelt
• whip
• batter
• do
• beat
• hit
• slap
• bat
• slate
• knock
• punch
• attack
• thump
• lather
• belt
• curry
• spank
• assault
• maul
• paddle
• punch out
• smash
• chop
• club
• birch
• lace
• whale
• work over
• slam
• box
• buffet
• switch
• bash
• baste
• raid
• pummel
• hammer
• fib
• pommel
• flog
• smack
• rough (up)
• bung up
• leather
• bludgeon
• thrash
• beat up on
• whop
• thresh
• slog
• drub
• wound
• whup
• swipe
• storm
• whack
• belabor
• wallop
• crack
• strap
• descend (on or upon)
• lam
• tromp
• cane
• lambaste
• rush
• mess (up)
• lay on
• sock
• paste
• cowhide
• jump (on)
• swat
• cuff
• pounce (on or upon)
• clout
• bust
• flagellate
• scourge
• rawhide
• wham
• blackjack
• cudgel
• clobber
• thwack
• beset
• assail
• gore
• horsewhip
• fustigate
• whomp
• lacerate
• maim
• mutilate
• pistol-whip
• mangle

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of tan

Tanning beds are not a safer option than tanning outside. — Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 12 June 2026

The agency charged that Mercola and his companies claimed the tanning systems were safe and that research showed that indoor tanning doesn’t raise the risk of melanoma, a type of skin cancer. — Duaa Eldeib, ProPublica, 12 June 2026

But will the new ingredient win the trust of Make America Healthy Again skeptics and Gen Zers intentionally tanning? — Kff Health News, Oc Register, 10 June 2026

There’s a sense of summer ease; both are tanned, dressed in casual black tops and trousers, sandals on. — Sheena McKenzie, CNN Money, 7 June 2026