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
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as in to soil
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tar
Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes.com, 5 Jan. 2026
Clean energy from toxic waste Bio-tar – the thick liquid by-product produced when heating biomass and organic matter – has long been viewed as toxic to the environment and an unavoidable cost of renewable energy production.
—The Week Uk, TheWeek, 30 Dec. 2025
Nick Paumgarten, New Yorker, 19 May 2025
WikiLeaks is often tarred with a couple of brushes that are not fair or accurate.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for tar
Noun
Heavy and sour crude oil is what it’s called (and much of it is extra-heavy or tar-like).
—Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes.com, 5 Jan. 2026
Clean energy from toxic waste Bio-tar – the thick liquid by-product produced when heating biomass and organic matter – has long been viewed as toxic to the environment and an unavoidable cost of renewable energy production.
—The Week Uk, TheWeek, 30 Dec. 2025
Verb
As Jimmy Page says, guitars were tarred by the brush of rock and roll.
—Nick Paumgarten, New Yorker, 19 May 2025
WikiLeaks is often tarred with a couple of brushes that are not fair or accurate.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for tar
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tar
Noun
-
Credit still flows to soldiers and sailors.—
Carter Dougherty,
Mercury News,
7 Feb. 2026
-
History of Boatneck Tops Early 1900s The boatneck top originated in the early 1900s as part of French naval uniforms, designed with a wide neckline that allowed sailors ease of movement while working at sea.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Volcanic soil old enough to shame continents.—
John Noakes,
Hartford Courant,
31 Jan. 2026
-
If the jeans are new but heavily soiled, add one tablespoon of laundry detergent to remove the soil.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Last week’s whale sightings by the Aquarium led the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to implement a voluntary slow speed zone called a Dynamic Management Area (DMA) for mariners to reduce their speed to 10 knots to protect the whales.—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
13 Jan. 2026
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Wander the gear aisles where gadgets promise to turn anyone into a better mariner, chef, parent and human being.—
Eric Barton,
Sun Sentinel,
4 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The spoon even comes with measuring lines for a teaspoon and tablespoon, saving you from having to dirty another utensil.—
Melanie Fincher,
Southern Living,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The adventurous actress dirties up her frock and face to play the village pariah, who reeks of fish and would be no man’s idea of a suitable wife, except perhaps the one-eyed bum who sleeps in the town square.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Open from April through mid-November, the getaway is part resort and part spa, with its private soaking cabanas—outfitted with oversized stand-alone tubs, soaking salts, and bathrooms—being one of the most notable amenities on property.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Feb. 2026
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If this is the case with your board, Dills suggests cleaning it with salt and lemon.—
Rebecca Jones,
Southern Living,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The attorneys went on to argue that Pavlovich’s lawsuits were the culmination of a plan to smear Gaiman and that any legal disputes should be resolved in New Zealand, not the United States.—
Todd Richmond,
Fortune,
10 Feb. 2026
-
As a result, calls for action have been met with suspicion, with some online commentators accusing feminists of making up MaskPark as a way to smear Chinese men.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
2 Feb. 2026
Noun
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As an orthopedic nurse navigator, the Oak Forest resident has developed and advanced her role on the hospital’s inpatient orthopedic floor, getting patients moving soon after surgery and leading interdisciplinary efforts to enhance recovery, streamline discharge and improve outcomes.—
C. R. Walker,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Feb. 2026
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On July 2, 1937 Earhart was at the controls of a twin-engine Lockheed Electra 10E aircraft, with Fred Noonan serving as navigator, when the plane disappeared.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Valentinetti was tasked with smudging out his work, which has left a ghost-like white blob on the angel’s body.—
Barbie Latza Nadeau,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 2026
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Or, show your burning desire with Byredo’s Burning Rose Candle and a refillable lipstick set (which will be lovingly smudged by the end of the night).—
Essence,
Essence,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tar. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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