1
as in to hide
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
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2
as in to lick
to strike repeatedly
a time when children were routinely tanned for misbehavior
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tan
At the center of it all, John Summit — tanned, smiling, his shirt unbuttoned to a chest level that suggested a regular workout routine — threw up heart hands while manning the cockpit of CDJs before him.
—
Katie Bain, Billboard, 6 Mar. 2025
More than 90% of global leather production uses chrome tanning methods that can harm both workers and the environment.
—Christopher Marquis, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025
By 2024, the number of U.S. tanning salon establishments dwindled to fewer than 21,000, per IBISWorld.
—Bailey Schulz, USA TODAY, 8 Mar. 2025
Guests who are 21 years of age and older can enjoy other adults-only spaces and amenities like a warming pool, swim-up bars, as well as a tanning pool.
—Carly Caramanna, Travel + Leisure, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tan
Katie Bain, Billboard, 6 Mar. 2025
More than 90% of global leather production uses chrome tanning methods that can harm both workers and the environment.
—Christopher Marquis, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025
By 2024, the number of U.S. tanning salon establishments dwindled to fewer than 21,000, per IBISWorld.
—Bailey Schulz, USA TODAY, 8 Mar. 2025
Guests who are 21 years of age and older can enjoy other adults-only spaces and amenities like a warming pool, swim-up bars, as well as a tanning pool.
—Carly Caramanna, Travel + Leisure, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tan
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tan
Verb
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Ellie hides her injury from Dina when her friend arrives to rescue her, and the women are summoned to appear before the town leaders to share their experience.—
Sara Netzley,
EW.com,
14 Apr. 2025
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Read Next World Palace gardens hid 900-year-old ruins of bathhouse in Spain — until now.—
Aspen Pflughoeft,
Miami Herald,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The race is being widely viewed as a must-win for Democrats who at the national level are still licking their 2024 election wounds, as well as a potential referendum on Trump and Musk.—
Savannah Kuchar,
USA Today,
26 Mar. 2025
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Cora appears to enjoy the routine and happily lets the cat lick at the tufts of blonde hair on her head.—
Kelli Bender,
People.com,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Underneath her coat, Witherspoon wore an ankle-length black skirt and leather round-toe boots.—
Hannah Jackson,
Vogue,
28 Jan. 2025
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Compare with the Met’s full-size cast, from 1985, and these miniatures cleave the collective anguish into distinct emotions — one figure seems mid-dance, one bored, another ecstatic — in a range of patinas, from dark chocolate to leather.—
Walker Mimms,
New York Times,
23 Jan. 2025
Verb
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All that — that’s what came turning around the corner late Sunday afternoon, striding through a tunnel of fans off Augusta’s 18th green, walking without a shadow despite a shallow sun; arms extended, eyes welling, chest pounding.—
Brendan Quinn,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
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Deadly flooding in the South and Midwest The mother of a 9-year-old boy is speaking out after he was swept away and killed by floodwaters in Kentucky during the four days of historic storms that pounded the region.—
Chris Looft,
ABC News,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Take it from us and whip out this gem for special occasions versus everyday wear, as Gucci recommends shielding it from direct light, heat, and rain.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
10 Apr. 2025
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Alexander Wennberg’s 10th goal of the season tied the score at 16:46 when his fellow Swede, William Eklund, whipped a pass from the left boards across the goal mouth to set-up the one-time finish with a ton of space to Dostal’s left.—
Josh Gross,
Oc Register,
2 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Verdugo lashed hard line drives in his first two at-bats with the Braves, off Twins pitcher Chris Paddack.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Apr. 2025
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A day after his remarks, the president lashed out against the Fed chair.—
Rachel Barber,
USA Today,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The Trump administration wants to significantly cut NASA’s budget next year, slashing science research funding in half, a reduction that would halt the launch of a high-tech space telescope and curtail other planetary exploration missions.—
George Petras,
USA Today,
22 Apr. 2025
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Nimmo is slashing mere .202/.253/.381 this season, but Sunday’s heroics could be a sign of changing fortune.—
James O'Connell,
New York Daily News,
20 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Acceleration is smooth and the all-wheel-drive system gives you stability in the snow and rain, both of which I was pelted with during the 311 miles the test ate up.—
Josh Max,
Forbes.com,
31 Mar. 2025
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The Leafs were outplayed by an inferior team The Leafs were chasing the game for most of the night, especially in the first period when the Sharks pelted Joseph Woll with 16 shots.—
Jonas Siegel,
New York Times,
28 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tan.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tan. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.
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