TAR Synonyms: 83 Similar and Opposite Words

tar 1 of 2

noun

ˈtär

Definition of tar

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

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tar

2 of 2

verb

as in to soil

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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

Noun

In 2012 an angler pulled a brown bullhead out of a lake on the Vermont-Quebec border with what looked like tar smeared across its skin. — John Drake, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026 The plasma process also produced very little smoke or tar, reducing harmful secondary pollutants typically associated with biomass conversion and making the technology a cleaner way to produce renewable solid fuel. — New Atlas, 1 July 2026

Verb

It was tarred, feathered and run out of town on a Brightline rail. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 11 Mar. 2026 House Bill 1095 is a good piece of legislation tarred by a bad amendment that loosens requirements for public notices. — The Denver Post Editorial Board, Denver Post, 28 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tar

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tar

Noun

In another favorite photo, a young Black sailor blows smoke into the air.

— Hanif Abdurraqib, New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2026
Nearly two dozen sailors from many countries were either killed or are missing.

— the Monitor's Editorial Board, Christian Science Monitor, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of sailor

Verb

Emily Cassidy, research associate at climate solutions nonprofit Project Drawdown, said composting offers the dual benefits of reducing landfill methane emissions and, once the composting process is complete, returning nutrients to soil.

— ABC News, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026
Heavily soiled laundry like muddy workwear can also benefit from warmer water.

— Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of soil

Noun

Seas will also begin to lower as the nor'easter pulls away, but inexperienced mariners and small vessels are encouraged to stay docked on Monday as rough seas and gusty winds are still likely.

— Sarah Wroblewski, CBS News, 27 Sep. 2026
For example, Kingsborough Community College, located in South Brooklyn, where the Sheepshead and Jamaica Bays meet the Atlantic Ocean, operates a maritime technology program that is training the next generation of local mariners.

— Julie Raskin, New York Daily News, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of mariner

Noun

After exploring or relaxing by the pool, head to the freestanding infrared sauna with optional salt halotherapy.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2026
Under the ban, each homogeneous material that makes up a garment should not have a PFHxA concentration equal to or greater than 25 parts per billion (ppb) for the sum of PFHxA and its salts, while 1,000 ppb for the sum of its related substances.

— Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of salt

Verb

Add the brown sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla, salt, baking powder and baking soda to the bowl and use a rubber spatula to press and smear the ingredients until no chunks of butter remain.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026
Following Tuesday’s baseline dust-up after a foul on Fever guard Sophie Cunningham, Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson confronted a fan, leading Cloud to take to Threads and smear both the Indiana Fever organization and the spectator.

— Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of smear

Noun

Earhart and her navigator, Fred Noonan, vanished during one of the final stretches of their trip after departing Lae, New Guinea, for Howland Island.

— Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Celestial navigators who do this will need to account for the growing difference between UTC and UT1 when determining their precise position on Earth.

— Vahe Peroomian, The Conversation, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of navigator

Browse Nearby Words

taps

tar

taradiddle

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Style

“Tar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tar. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of tar

noun

verb

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