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
Relevance
2
as in to lick
to strike repeatedly
a time when children were routinely tanned for misbehavior
Synonyms & Similar Words
Examples 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
In addition, experts say not to do a laser treatment after tanning or even self-tanning.
—
Emily Burns, WWD, 26 Sep. 2024
While Johnson represents exciting progress in the tanning industry, the majority of Black women don’t have access to Johnson’s services or tanning salons that specialize in dark skin.
—Kyndall Cunningham, Vox, 22 June 2024
Not to tan, but to catch their bread and butter: bugs.
—Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2024
As someone who grew up in the year-round SoCal sun, I was blessed with skin that tans rather than burns (shout-out to my Mexican ancestors).
—Marilyn La Jeunesse, Travel + Leisure, 1 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tan 
Emily Burns, WWD, 26 Sep. 2024
While Johnson represents exciting progress in the tanning industry, the majority of Black women don’t have access to Johnson’s services or tanning salons that specialize in dark skin.
—Kyndall Cunningham, Vox, 22 June 2024
Not to tan, but to catch their bread and butter: bugs.
—Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2024
As someone who grew up in the year-round SoCal sun, I was blessed with skin that tans rather than burns (shout-out to my Mexican ancestors).
—Marilyn La Jeunesse, Travel + Leisure, 1 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tan
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tan
Verb
-
The Super Bowl contender hiding in plain sight Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper signed a 13-year, $330 million contract in early 2019 in what was a record deal at the time.David K. Li, NBC News, 13 Nov. 2024
-
But Bill Belichick has nothing in particular to offer when journalists ask about coaches hiding the effects of the disease.Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 12 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
Most other social mammals groom by licking, but primates are unique among tetrapod vertebrates in our reliance on hands and feet for tasks many other taxa use their faces for, says Borths.Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 21 Nov. 2024
-
Zia was licking herself and developing hotspots from itchiness.Jen McCaffery, Discover Magazine, 14 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
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
-
Look to leather knee-high pairs from Jimmy Choo, Isabel Marant, Khaite, and & Other Stories for a similar version of the model-off-duty style.Laura Jackson, Vogue, 15 Aug. 2022
Verb
-
Through the opening 10 minutes, the Pioneers were pounding on the door with two early corners and a shot from distance that sailed just over the crossbar.Braidon Nourse, The Denver Post, 16 Nov. 2024
-
In Lebanon's capital, Israeli planes pounded the southern suburb of Dahiyeh overnight and early Friday for the first time in four days, spreading panic after a rare lull.SALLY ABOU ALJOUD AND WAFAA SHURAFA THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, arkansasonline.com, 2 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
Available in 21 colors, the mixer has 10 speeds to knead, whip, and stir ingredients for bread, baked goods, pizza dough, and more.Kaitlin Gates, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Nov. 2024
-
Add the honey, egg, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and cream; whip with an electric mixer until smooth. Spread the sweet potato mixture in the prepared baking dish.Amanda Hancock, The Courier-Journal, 20 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
The Owl, the father figure, flies into rages, yelling and occasionally lashing out with a hand or foot.Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 21 Nov. 2024
-
Following his debate with Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump lashed out at ABC over the moderators' fact-checking efforts.David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
President-elect Donald Trump has selected Vivek Ramaswamy, a former presidential candidate and Ohio native, to help lead a new initiative aimed at slashing government spending.Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 22 Nov. 2024
-
Although Oz has not revealed his views on Medicaid, some Republicans in Congress have expressed support for changes that would slash the budget of the program.Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 20 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
Atlas is next to Jordan High School, where students and staff have long complained that school grounds have been coated in metallic dust and pelted with metal shrapnel.Rebecca Plevin, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2024
-
But, crucially, enough of them remain suspended over the moon to sustain its exosphere long enough for more meteorites to pelt the surface, according to the research.Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 12 Aug. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near tan
Cite this Entry
“Tan.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tan. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share