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
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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
Sea lions are generally blonde to tan in color, and the males tend to be larger than the females, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
—
Paloma Chavez, Sacramento Bee, 11 Feb. 2025
The new release offers a lower price point than Dolce Glow, the professional tanning company that Vita launched in 2015 and took to retail with at-home products in 2021.
—Ryma Chikhoune, WWD, 7 Feb. 2025
This is an extract from the leaves of Uncaria gambir, a native plant in heavy demand from the middle of the 17th century as a tanning agent and dye.
—Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Feb. 2025
The second piece of evidence is the deer sin being tanned near the edge of the camp.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tan
Paloma Chavez, Sacramento Bee, 11 Feb. 2025
The new release offers a lower price point than Dolce Glow, the professional tanning company that Vita launched in 2015 and took to retail with at-home products in 2021.
—Ryma Chikhoune, WWD, 7 Feb. 2025
This is an extract from the leaves of Uncaria gambir, a native plant in heavy demand from the middle of the 17th century as a tanning agent and dye.
—Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Feb. 2025
The second piece of evidence is the deer sin being tanned near the edge of the camp.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tan
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tan
Verb
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The good news is that new data solutions are emerging to help businesses finally unlock the potential hidden within their data.—
Lalit Patil,
Forbes,
26 Feb. 2025
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Imani Randolph, a model and creator, recalls her mom’s upbringing in the Bronx where effort wasn’t hidden, it was celebrated.—
Daisy Maldonado,
Vogue,
26 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Aretha started singing some deep gospel licks that — especially when heard up close — were powerful and dramatic.—
David Browne,
Rolling Stone,
5 Mar. 2025
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The video was followed by a black-and-white photo of Hobbs licking the Moana star's face and a clip of him playfully biting his hand.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
People.com,
25 Feb. 2025
Verb
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News round-up Real Madrid set up El Clasico in Spain’s Supercopa by leathering Mallorca 3-0 last night.—
Phil Hay,
The Athletic,
10 Jan. 2025
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Almost from the start, Dharavi was defined by its industries: from the traditional potters of Gujarat who began arriving in the late 1800s, to leather tanners from Tamil Nadu and embroidery workers from Uttar Pradesh.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN,
29 June 2024
Verb
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Musk pounded his chest and raised his right arm in an angular motion while giving his speech.—
Tom Rogers,
Newsweek,
21 Feb. 2025
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That involved Shorrock and a few others pounding posts in the ground, putting up heavy metal fencing and twisting metal ties together.—
Carolyn Stein,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The wind up here had whipped the snow into a sharp rib that came to a point on Denali’s Archdeacon’s Tower.—
Cassidy Randall,
Forbes,
6 Mar. 2025
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Add the egg whites: In the clean bowl of the electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip the egg whites and cream of tartar on medium speed until soft peaks form, 4-5 minutes.—
Peter Burke,
Fox News,
6 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Even before that, Trump has lashed out at Ukraine, blaming its leaders for Putin’s invasion and occupation of their country.—
Joey Garrison,
USA TODAY,
3 Mar. 2025
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Teens are notorious for being unable to reconcile internal feelings of guilt and shame and, not knowing what to do with the discomfort, lashing out at an external source.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
28 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The 30-year-old wildlife biologist was among roughly 2,000 U.S. Forest Service workers who were fired as part of President Trump and billionaire advisor Elon Musk’s push to slash the federal workforce.—
Lila Seidman,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Mar. 2025
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President Donald Trump’s push to slash through the federal government, led by the billionaire Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency initiative, was expected to target thousands of IRS positions nationwide.—
Jonathan Shorman,
Kansas City Star,
4 Mar. 2025
Verb
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By one estimate, a single square meter of ground may be pelted with 100 million bacteria during every hour of a rainstorm.—
Carl Zimmer,
Smithsonian Magazine,
25 Feb. 2025
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Pico and others have pelted the PFL with criticism.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes,
20 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tan.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tan. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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