1
as in to wait
to continue to be in a place for a significant amount of time
upon seeing the sun beginning to sink in the sky, we realized we had tarried too long on the summit of the mountain
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to linger
to move or act slowly
the dean tarried in making his decision, still not sure if he should suspend the student or not
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to stay
to reside as a temporary guest
he tarried with us all summer, sleeping on the screened-in porch most nights
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tarry
Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 12 June 2025
Read More: 10 New Year's Traditions From Across the Globe
There was still much reason to pray after Jan. 1, 1863, and so tarrying in prayer on New Year’s Eve became an annual tradition.
—Nyya Toussaint / Made By History, TIME, 31 Dec. 2024
Esther Mobley, SFChronicle.com, 1 Sep. 2020
Ingestion of sago palm leaves, seeds or other plant parts causes liver failure, usually signaled by drooling, vomiting, diarrhea or a tarry black stool, depression, appetite loss, abdominal pain, lethargy and jaundice.
—Kim Campbell Thornton, sacbee, 14 Mar. 2018
See All Example Sentences for tarry
Verb
America grew up with these boys and tarried with them through light and dark times.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 12 June 2025
Read More: 10 New Year's Traditions From Across the Globe
There was still much reason to pray after Jan. 1, 1863, and so tarrying in prayer on New Year’s Eve became an annual tradition.
—Nyya Toussaint / Made By History, TIME, 31 Dec. 2024
Adjective
Often, Petite Sirah produces a wine that is too tarry, too dense, too chewy.
—Esther Mobley, SFChronicle.com, 1 Sep. 2020
Ingestion of sago palm leaves, seeds or other plant parts causes liver failure, usually signaled by drooling, vomiting, diarrhea or a tarry black stool, depression, appetite loss, abdominal pain, lethargy and jaundice.
—Kim Campbell Thornton, sacbee, 14 Mar. 2018
See All Example Sentences for tarry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tarry
Noun
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That order of operations lent a cloak of secrecy to the high-profile visit.—
Laura Kelly,
The Hill,
10 Nov. 2025
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During my visit, I was treated to an array of falafel, lamb sausage, and James Ranch cheese.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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No more having to wait for the preheat temperature or worrying about forgetting to set it.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
7 Nov. 2025
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In extremely dense fog, drivers are advised to turn on their hazard lights, pull over into a safe place, and if that’s on the side of the road or hard shoulder—turn off all lights except the hazards, engage the hand brake, and wait until the fog lifts.—
Amanda Greenwood,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The overnight storm was likely triggered by a glancing CME arrival that combined with lingering effects from a high-speed solar wind stream, according to NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC).—
Daisy Dobrijevic,
Space.com,
6 Nov. 2025
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Yet concerns also linger that the market’s gains are increasingly reliant on tech companies.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Fearing a spike in anti-Japanese sentiment ahead of the parade, the Japanese embassy in Beijing warned its citizens to stay cautious and avoid speaking Japanese loudly in public – perhaps mindful that in recent years, there has been a spate of violent attacks against Japanese nationals in China.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
12 Nov. 2025
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Richards, along with two fellow runners (played by Katy O’Brian and Please Don’t Destroy’s Martin Herlihy), must avoid the surveillance state’s ever-watchful eyes, stay hidden, keep on the move.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
11 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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With the aid of his brother György, who was a dentist with a background in chemistry, Bíró set out to create a new ballpoint pen design based on viscous ink similar to newsprint.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
29 Oct. 2025
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Small, viscous waves lapped against the shore, the swell leaving behind a brown shelf of decaying organic matter.—
David Wingrave,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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For many young women, the stiletto’s discomfort is part of the appeal, offering proof that effort and glamor remain in an age of casual sneakers.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
9 Nov. 2025
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The quarterback situation remained dire.—
Ira Gorawara,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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If your flight is canceled or significantly delayed due to the cuts, you’re legally entitled to a cash refund, not just some future credit.—
The Kim Komando Show,
FOXNews.com,
8 Nov. 2025
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According to the flight status report on the Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport/Adams Field website Friday, the airport had delayed arrivals from Dallas-Fort Worth, Chicago and Houston, and canceled flights from Charlotte and Salt Lake City.—
JOSH FUNK,
Arkansas Online,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Its skeleton consists of millions of mineral particles, suspended in a gelatinous matrix, that compact to protect itself from danger.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Oct. 2025
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Some, like many jellyfish and swimming snails, consist of a thin layer of cells wrapped around a large nonliving ball of gelatinous material.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
25 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tarry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tarry. Accessed 16 Nov. 2025.
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