1
as in to wait
to continue to be in a place for a significant amount of time
upon seeing the sun beginning to sink in the sky, we realized we had tarried too long on the summit of the mountain
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to linger
to move or act slowly
the dean tarried in making his decision, still not sure if he should suspend the student or not
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to stay
to reside as a temporary guest
he tarried with us all summer, sleeping on the screened-in porch most nights
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tarry
Nyya Toussaint / Made By History, TIME, 31 Dec. 2024
To avoid suspicion, the young men decided to tarry for a couple of days rather than cross into the neighboring socialist republic right away.
—Longreads, 6 July 2022
Esther Mobley, SFChronicle.com, 1 Sep. 2020
Ingestion of sago palm leaves, seeds or other plant parts causes liver failure, usually signaled by drooling, vomiting, diarrhea or a tarry black stool, depression, appetite loss, abdominal pain, lethargy and jaundice.
—Kim Campbell Thornton, sacbee, 14 Mar. 2018
See All Example Sentences for tarry
Verb
Read More: 10 New Year's Traditions From Across the Globe
There was still much reason to pray after Jan. 1, 1863, and so tarrying in prayer on New Year’s Eve became an annual tradition.
—Nyya Toussaint / Made By History, TIME, 31 Dec. 2024
To avoid suspicion, the young men decided to tarry for a couple of days rather than cross into the neighboring socialist republic right away.
—Longreads, 6 July 2022
Adjective
Often, Petite Sirah produces a wine that is too tarry, too dense, too chewy.
—Esther Mobley, SFChronicle.com, 1 Sep. 2020
Ingestion of sago palm leaves, seeds or other plant parts causes liver failure, usually signaled by drooling, vomiting, diarrhea or a tarry black stool, depression, appetite loss, abdominal pain, lethargy and jaundice.
—Kim Campbell Thornton, sacbee, 14 Mar. 2018
See All Example Sentences for tarry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tarry
Noun
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Louisville’s Tyler Shough made a pre-draft visit to New Orleans on Friday, according to NOLA.com’s Jeff Duncan.—
Joseph Person,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
-
In 2011, during a family visit to Dhaka, my mother suffered complications from a routine appendectomy at a top private hospital, ultimately requiring corrective surgeries abroad.—
Sylvana Quader Sinha,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
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This year’s draft class has a lot of depth at tight end, which could be why the Jets wait until Round 2 to select one.—
Antwan Staley,
New York Daily News,
22 Apr. 2025
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When hailing rides from their home, African Americans also wait up to 22 percent longer for the ride to arrive.—
Kaja Šeruga,
Smithsonian Magazine,
22 Apr. 2025
Verb
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And though a few dozen people left the dinner early to catch the end or start of various performances, which included Charli XCX and the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, about half of the long table lingered after dessert to continue chatting with their tablemates.—
Ye Fan,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
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Still, memories of the show lingered in a few significant minds: both Stephen Sondheim and Fred Ebb felt its influence.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Shevchenko stayed at 135 for her next four fights, going 2-2.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2025
-
This underwear is lightweight and discreet, and stays fresh all day.—
Malia Griggs,
Glamour,
15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The viscous substance coats the attacker, immobilizing or fatally compromising them by clogging joints, mouthparts and spiracles.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
5 Apr. 2025
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The microbes go on to form a viscous coating known as a biofilm, which is resistant to antibiotics.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Versace, long operated as a family-run business, shares similarities with the Prada Group, where Miuccia Prada remains actively involved in leading both Prada and Miu Miu.—
Mecca Pryor,
Essence,
14 Apr. 2025
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Then there’s the question of what the crushing water pressure at that depth would have on any bodies that remained on the wreck of the Titanic.—
Greg Daugherty,
Smithsonian Magazine,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
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There's also great uncertainty as Trump seeks negotiations with China and begins talks with other counties whose larger tariffs were delayed by 90 days.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
21 Apr. 2025
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Pincus filed a brief on behalf of the American Public Health Association, which argued that invalidating the mandate could increase the cost of preventive care and the cost of health care overall, as patients would delay treatment for preventable diseases and emergencies.—
Joseph Choi,
The Hill,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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From ancient times until today, aloes have been extolled for their therapeutic value, especially as the gelatinous substance that fills their leaves is used in treating burns and other skin conditions, but it may also be eaten raw or mixed into smoothies.—
Joshua Siskin,
Orange County Register,
21 Feb. 2025
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Okra, whose gelatinous flavor figures prominently in African, Asian, Caribbean, and Southern recipes, has seen a similar trajectory.—
Emiene Wright,
Charlotte Observer,
23 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tarry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tarry. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.
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