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

Handwoven and tanned in Italy, it’s finished with a water-resistant coating that helps protect it from humidity and the occasional splash. — Nina Derwin, Architectural Digest, 24 July 2026

In racy photos posted by Kardashian, the longtime Kardashian-Jenner family friend is seen toned and tanned, her hair messy. — Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 23 June 2026

Treatments include hot pools and steam rooms, wax wraps and tanning barrels, plus hearty healthy meals. — Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026

The first version was a tanning oil with benzyl salicylate that promised a safer tan but ultimately had extremely low SPF (a term that wasn’t introduced until 1974). — Kara McGrath, Allure, 16 June 2026