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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Health systems are using these tools to document patient visits, allowing doctors to have natural conversations with patients rather than typing notes on a computer.—
Gil Press,
Forbes.com,
27 Apr. 2025
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The controversy over attire comes just two months after Zelensky was criticized and called disrespectful by a reporter at the White House for not wearing a suit during his visit to the Oval Office, with reports suggesting that Trump was annoyed by Zelensky's choice of clothing.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Apr. 2025
Verb
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But when employees are trained to wait for approval, creativity dies.—
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes.com,
4 May 2025
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Flights were delayed by as much as five hours Thursday, as the tarmac became packed with lines of planes waiting to depart.—
Alecia Reid,
CBS News,
4 May 2025
Verb
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Private patios are planted with succulents and shaded by native trees, while the center of the property is anchored by a sunken dipping pool and communal fire pit perfect for lingering evenings and slow conversations.—
Michaela Trimble,
Vogue,
28 Apr. 2025
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Managers don’t always appreciate lingering legacies.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2025
Verb
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For First-Class Mail, the current service standard day range of 1-5 days is staying the same, while the day ranges for end-to-end Marketing Mail, Periodicals, and Package Services are being shortened.—
Bonnie Bolden,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2025
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Richie Grainge stayed true to her favorite pure: the Loro Piana Extra Pocket.—
Hannah Jackson,
Vogue,
28 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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Meanwhile, the baseline 10% tariff Trump announced April 2 will remain in effect for most U.K. imports, which could lead to higher prices for consumers.—
Bailey Schulz,
USA Today,
9 May 2025
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Where to Watch Marvel's 'Thunderbolts*' Marvel Studios' Thunderbolts* remains in theaters following its May 2 release.—
Jenna deJong,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 May 2025
Verb
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The execution was delayed from its anticipated time of 6 p.m. ET as the United States Supreme Court considered Hutchinson's final appeals.—
James Powel,
USA Today,
3 May 2025
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The construction schedule for Brooklyn is already roughly three years beyond that deadline and the timelines for the completion of the others are further delayed.—
Chris Sommerfeldt,
New York Daily News,
2 May 2025
Adjective
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Back in 2013, the gelatinous sea creature was declared the world’s ugliest animal.—
Lianne Kolirin,
CNN,
18 Mar. 2025
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Sunfish reside in open waters across the globe in tropical and temperate oceans and feed on mainly jellies and other gelatinous zooplankton like salps, squid, fish, crustaceans and algae.—
Amaris Encinas,
USA Today,
5 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tarry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tarry. Accessed 11 May. 2025.
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