1
as in to lash
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
Relevance
2
as in to lick
to strike repeatedly
a time when children were routinely tanned for misbehavior
Synonyms & Similar 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 tan
While slathering yourself with oil and laying out in the sun is highly (and rightfully) frowned upon in the beauty community, there is one type of oil that dermatologists stand by: the best SPF tanning oils.
—
Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 24 June 2025
The trips are running every Saturday and Sunday from July 26 to Aug. 24 and depart once per day from the marina at 10:00 a.m.
The 4-hour trip left us tanned and ready to see the crystal clear water from the sky the next day.
—Sabrina Weiss, People.com, 24 June 2025
Additionally, the exclusion of gyms and fitness centers from the tax reduced the tax base, disproportionately affecting smaller, stand-alone tanning salons.
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 May 2025
It’s infused with vitamin E and red algae to brighten the skin, and has an instant tanning effect that works to blur areas of redness or sun spots.
—Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for tan
Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 24 June 2025
The trips are running every Saturday and Sunday from July 26 to Aug. 24 and depart once per day from the marina at 10:00 a.m.
The 4-hour trip left us tanned and ready to see the crystal clear water from the sky the next day.
—Sabrina Weiss, People.com, 24 June 2025
Additionally, the exclusion of gyms and fitness centers from the tax reduced the tax base, disproportionately affecting smaller, stand-alone tanning salons.
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 May 2025
It’s infused with vitamin E and red algae to brighten the skin, and has an instant tanning effect that works to blur areas of redness or sun spots.
—Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for tan
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tan
Verb
-
The face of the franchise lashed at a breaking ball in the fifth, pulling a hit onto open grass to double the lead.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
26 July 2025
-
Beijing has lashed out against those concerns, including the 27-member bloc’s move last year to raise tariffs on its electric vehicles, launching a range of its own trade probes in apparent retaliation.—
Nectar Gan,
CNN Money,
24 July 2025
Verb
-
The Boston Celtics are still licking their wounds following the heartbreaking end to the 2024-25 NBA season.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 July 2025
-
And Lil Wayne agrees by licking my face, which is part of the job description for companion dogs.—
Marla Jo Fisher,
Oc Register,
9 July 2025
Verb
-
The designer was lucky enough to snag some handwoven jacquard with gold thread from a Venetian palazzo, whipping it into a one-of-a-kind lampshade skirt.—
Ari Stark,
Footwear News,
15 July 2025
-
Shake briefly to whip, then empty contents into a curved Hurricane glass and garnish with an orange slice and a cherry.—
Jeremy Repanich,
Robb Report,
11 July 2025
Verb
-
But these unremarkable principles hide a dramatic shift in the relationship between science and government.—
David Michaels,
The Atlantic,
20 July 2025
-
More than a month after the shooting, police located the vehicle Orona had driven, hidden on a Buckeye property owned by his girlfriend’s family.—
Rey Covarrubias Jr,
AZCentral.com,
20 July 2025
Verb
-
Underneath her coat, Witherspoon wore an ankle-length black skirt and leather round-toe boots.—
Hannah Jackson,
Vogue,
28 Jan. 2025
-
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
-
That first flight on April 28, 2021, was deep within the COVID-19 pandemic that pounded the airline industry.—
Michael Goldstein,
Forbes.com,
17 July 2025
-
Play was suspended a couple of times because of severe weather, the occasional pounding rain and possibly lightning.—
Doug Ferguson,
Chicago Tribune,
15 July 2025
Verb
-
Because of an accident within the gravitational system, the Earth is rapidly plunging into the sun, pelting toward it, to melt there.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 July 2025
-
Russia’s strikes pelted multiple cities — including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s hometown.—
Kristina Karisch,
The Hill,
17 July 2025
Verb
-
Opposition parties have since stymied Lai's agenda, refusing to approve constitutional court justices, slashing spending, and cutting defense budgets.—
Jan Camenzind Broomby,
NPR,
26 July 2025
-
And for home security, the Arlo Pro 5S 2K security camera bundle slashes 50% off and delivers crisp video, fast alerts, and powerful battery life without the setup stress.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
25 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tan.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tan. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share