tar 1 of 2

noun

ˈtär How to pronounce tar (audio)
Definition of tarnext
as in sailor
one who operates or navigates a seagoing vessel a book about the adventurous lives of tars, skippers, and pirates of the 18th century

Synonyms & Similar Words

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tar

2 of 2

verb

as in to soil

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of tar
Noun
In 2012 an angler pulled a brown bullhead out of a lake on the Vermont-Quebec border with what looked like tar smeared across its skin. — John Drake, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026 The plasma process also produced very little smoke or tar, reducing harmful secondary pollutants typically associated with biomass conversion and making the technology a cleaner way to produce renewable solid fuel. — New Atlas, 1 July 2026
Verb
It was tarred, feathered and run out of town on a Brightline rail. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 11 Mar. 2026 House Bill 1095 is a good piece of legislation tarred by a bad amendment that loosens requirements for public notices. — The Denver Post Editorial Board, Denver Post, 28 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tar
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tar
  1. sailor
  2. soil
  3. mariner
  4. dirty
  5. salt
  6. smear
  7. navigator
  8. smudge
Noun
  • In another favorite photo, a young Black sailor blows smoke into the air.
    — Hanif Abdurraqib, New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Nearly two dozen sailors from many countries were either killed or are missing.
    — the Monitor's Editorial Board, Christian Science Monitor, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of sailor
Verb
  • The problem is best corrected through adjustments to soil pH, though applications of iron also help.
    — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Emily Cassidy, research associate at climate solutions nonprofit Project Drawdown, said composting offers the dual benefits of reducing landfill methane emissions and, once the composting process is complete, returning nutrients to soil.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of soil
Noun
  • The Mexican navy urged mariners and coastal residents to exercise extreme caution, citing high waves, heavy rain and the risk of rising rivers, flooding and landslides.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 Oct. 2026
  • After between 30 to 45 seconds with Packard in his mouth, the whale had risen to the surface and spat him out, sending him flying through the air in a massive spray that was witnessed by his crewmate and another nearby mariner.
    — David Mack, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of mariner
Verb
  • To even wade into the arguments might dirty your hands, and mind.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Satisfy your lasagna craving without dirtying up a pile of dishes.
    — Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 9 July 2026
Definition of dirty
Noun
  • Diamond Crystal or Morton kosher salt, and remaining ¼ cup plain whole-milk Greek yogurt in a small bowl.
    — Rebecca Firkser, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, the cumin, and coriander.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of salt
Verb
  • None of this excuses Chris’ malicious behavior, not just toward Carrie but toward her future stepsister, Brooklyn (Rowan Danielle), and the school as a whole, mostly via a fake Instagram account devoted to smearing students and faculty alike.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Her makeup, crafted by Diana Shin, was equally as striking and overtly feminine, featuring pink shadow smeared in her crease, shimmer on her lids, falsies glued to her top lash line and burgundy lip liner accenting her lips.
    — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of smear
Noun
  • Experts have long suspected Nikumaroro as the landing site of Earhart and her navigator, Fred Noonan, who disappeared in July 1937.
    — Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Earhart and her navigator, Fred Noonan, vanished 22,000 miles into their expedition.
    — Lana Zak, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of navigator
Verb
  • Rather than a hard, graphic line, her makeup artist smudged burgundy tones under the lower lashes.
    — Marci Robin, Allure, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Even the more dramatic elements like dark liner and smoky eyes are showing up smudged and diffused.
    — Ashley Lynch, Sacbee.com, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of smudge

Browse Nearby Words

taps
tar
taradiddle
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Cite this Entry

“Tar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tar. Accessed 25 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tar

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