as in sailor
one who operates or navigates a seagoing vessel
a book about the adventurous lives of tars, skippers, and pirates of the 18th century
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in to soil
Related Words
Dissimilar 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 tar
Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2026
Mummification experts at Saqqara drew on a continental network that supplied oils, tars and resins, combining these materials with specialized techniques of antisepsis, embalming, wrapping and coffin sealing.
—R. Alexander Bentley, The Conversation, 26 Feb. 2026
Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 26 Nov. 2025
Whether more moderate candidates can effectively be tarred with Mamdani's agenda remains to be seen.
—Ben Adler, USA Today, 13 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tar
Noun
Rail lines and schooners transported cotton, lumber, bricks, and tar across Lake Pontchartrain to meet the growing demands of New Orleans.
—Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2026
Mummification experts at Saqqara drew on a continental network that supplied oils, tars and resins, combining these materials with specialized techniques of antisepsis, embalming, wrapping and coffin sealing.
—R. Alexander Bentley, The Conversation, 26 Feb. 2026
Verb
Macaulay hasn’t talked to his father in years, but he wasn’t tarred by Kit’s power-hungry my-way-or-the-highway strongarming, using his solid gold son as his leverage.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 26 Nov. 2025
Whether more moderate candidates can effectively be tarred with Mamdani's agenda remains to be seen.
—Ben Adler, USA Today, 13 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tar
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tar
Noun
-
The post hosted a spaghetti dinner for some of the sailors, said Keith Shanesy, one of the post's vice commanders.—
Steve Walsh,
NPR,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Key international organizations such as the United Nations’ International Maritime Organization also took part in the meeting to discuss ways to secure the safe passage of thousands of ships and sailors trapped in the strait.—
Kevin Collier,
NBC news,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
When prairie goes under the plow, most of the organic matter disappears, turning living water‑holding, nutrient‑rich soil into mineral dust.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Fill the trash can about 2/3 full with hot water, or up to the rim if it's soiled near the top.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Ross’ second husband, mariner Joseph Ashburn, served the Revolution as a privateer and died in an English prison.—
Marla Miller,
The Conversation,
23 Mar. 2026
-
At least 12 incidents involving vessels around the strait have been confirmed since fighting began, according to two global trackers, and at least seven mariners have been killed.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But as filming continued, Pidgeon appeared to dirty her butter blond with caramel and chocolate shades similar to Bessette-Kennedy’s, thanks to stylist Kari Hill.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
25 Feb. 2026
-
With the help of your Instant Pot, spaghetti and meatballs come together in under an hour without dirtying multiple dishes.—
Jenna Sims,
Southern Living,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Traditional sourdough uses only flour, water, salt, and a natural starter, with a slow fermentation process for flavor.—
Olivia McIntosh,
Martha Stewart,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Begin with a whole chicken, cut-up, and seasoned with salt, paprika, and garlic powder.—
Jenna Sims,
Southern Living,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Clearly, the presence of sugar was no deterrent, as the dog appeared to have enthusiastically investigated the fallen bag, emerging with powdered evidence smeared across his face.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations said a man hurled pages of the Quran and smeared feces on the door of the mosque.—
Jesse Zanger,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Connecting with financial counselors, patient navigators and care coordinators could help young patients on public insurance or those who lack insurance navigate the system.—
Rhonda Winegar,
Fortune,
1 Apr. 2026
-
So traditional navigators like her, who look to the stars, waves and other elements in nature to pilot across the ocean, see the bird's presence as a sign that land is near.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Phelps demonstrated how to feed the paper manually, striking the keys with force but not so hard the letters would smudge.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Meanwhile, at the Milan Fashion Week show, the star embraced an edgy aesthetic with a messy low ponytail and smudged black eyeliner with smoky navy eyeshadow.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
26 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tar. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
