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
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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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This would be Whitson’s second trip on an Axiom mission to the ISS, and part of NASA’s requirement that former NASA astronaut command commercial mission visits to the ISS.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
11 Apr. 2026
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But for Xi, this visit is a chance to have a grip on China-Taiwan relations with Cheng, Ma said, as there's been no official contact between the governments since the Democratic Progressive Party came into power.—
HUIZHONG WU,
Arkansas Online,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Judging from the lack of blood on other wounds to the body, the murderer waited perhaps half an hour for the blood to completely drain.—
Patrick Salland,
Kansas City Star,
7 Apr. 2026
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Sellers are now more worried about that wait time.—
Diana Olick,
CNBC,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Just the check, the soft clatter of plates and that lingering smell of basil and coconut that follows you out the door.—
Timothy DePeugh,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Apr. 2026
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The children are now in the fourth grade, but Thompson believes their friend’s death has had a lingering impact on their lives.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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While the situation may feel serious, Lipsher stressed that preparation is about staying ahead of the problem, not panicking.—
Spencer Wilson,
CBS News,
13 Apr. 2026
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Costs, such as equipment, have crept up over time while soybean prices have stayed low.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Cormorants that tried to clean each other with their beaks died after ingesting the viscous muck.—
Jeffrey Marlow,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
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From having the viscous juices of decomposed leaves that kept her plump leak through a tear in her side, as happened to a few of her siblings.—
María Ospina,
The Dial,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Even as China remains one of Iran’s biggest diplomatic allies, President Xi Jinping’s support for the Islamic Republic is being constrained by a vast trail of Chinese capital across the Gulf.—
Bloomberg,
Bloomberg,
10 Apr. 2026
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With just three games remaining in their season after Thursday, the Stars could be looking at another disastrous injury.—
R.J. Coyle,
Dallas Morning News,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Congress allocated money for it, but billions of dollars were delayed due to the shutdown.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2026
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Bogey’s Image, ridden by Teddy Davies, appeared to win, only for a lengthy stewards’ inquiry to delay the result as spectators waited along the rails.—
Michael Howes,
Baltimore Sun,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Within moments, the toy’s gelatinous interior exploded, dousing scalding material across his face and hands.—
Hannah Nwoko,
Parents,
23 Feb. 2026
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The new Dior Addict Lip Glow Oil is less gelatinous than its predecessor.—
Tamim Alnuweiri,
InStyle,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tarry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tarry. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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