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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

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 The process also generated minimal smoke and tar compared with conventional biomass treatment methods. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 19 June 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

After nine months at sea, the sailors and Marines of the USS Abraham Lincoln are trading their cargo pants and boots for shorts and flip-flops.

— Sam Winslade, NBC news, 3 Sep. 2026
The Navy had dismissed reports about sailors onboard struggling with mental health concerns.

— Sakchai Lalit, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of sailor

Verb

Lamb checked out of the room the next day, and a housekeeper found three large trash bags filled with bloody towels and linens that were also soiled with human waste, according to the report.

— David Goodhue August 21, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026
When To Wash Sheets In Hot Water Washing sheets in hot water every time isn’t necessary for linens that are lightly soiled—think no sweaty nights or sickness.

— Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of soil

Noun

Carnival Conquest altered course in the Caribbean this week to assist a mariner in distress, the cruise line said.

— Nathan Diller, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
Spanish authorities have issued recommendations for mariners intended to reduce risks to both the animals and people aboard vessels.

— Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of mariner

Noun

At present, lithium-ion batteries excel at short-term electricity storage (hours), but hydrogen can be stored in large quantities in underground salt caverns for months, balancing seasonal swings in renewable energy production.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2026
Drizzle enough olive oil over the ingredients to generously coat them, season with salt and black pepper, and very gently fold together with your hands or a spoon.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of salt

Verb

Darker smears around the crater’s rim contain surface rocks and lunar dust called regolith previously altered by solar winds, micrometeorites, and cosmic radiation over an extended period of time.

— Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 19 Aug. 2026
The atmosphere works on them a little bit harder and reduces their strength and smears them a little bit more.

— Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of smear

Noun

The shelter will be open only to Elk Grove residents or people with deep ties to the city, verified through a vetting process, who receive referrals from the city’s homeless services navigators or police officers.

— Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 28 Aug. 2026
That navigator works to understand their needs and challenges, and then provides tailored recommendations.

— Hillary Lum, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of navigator

Verb

Dark circles get enhanced rather than left alone, and liner is smudged on purpose to look slept-in.

— Ashley Lynch, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026
Will Hammond, quarterback, Texas Tech Even after Cincinnati transfer Brendan Sorsby’s gambling scandal saga, which ended in Sorsby unable to play and Texas Tech leadership smudged, the Red Raiders are favored to win the Big 12.

— Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of smudge

Browse Nearby Words

taps

tar

taradiddle

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Tar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tar. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of tar

noun

verb

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