smudged; smudging
1
a
: a blurry spot or streak
b
: an immaterial stain
cleanse him of every last smudge of impropriety—
Richard Hanser
Richard Hanser
c
: an indistinct mass : blur
2
: a smoldering mass placed on the windward side (as to protect from frost)
3
: a bid of four in pitch that if made wins the game
Examples of smudge in a Sentence
Verb
Don't smudge the picture with your dirty hands!
His face was smudged with grease.
Noun
His hand left a grimy smudge on the wall.
the president's spouse must not have the slightest smudge of scandal
Recent Examples on the Web
Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 24 Oct. 2025
In an almost identical look, Tessa Thompson’s London Film Festival look was all about dark polish, black, smudged eye-corners and peach lips.
—Essence, 13 Oct. 2025
Christina Hall, Freep.com, 22 Oct. 2025
The draw to the formula is its transfer-proof watery texture that delivers an unexpected punch of color on all skin tones—and one that will last throughout the night for smudge-free color.
—Iman Balagam, Vogue, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smudge
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.
Verb
Take some time to go around to each window and remove cobwebs, dust, or dirt with your vacuum and brush attachment or a broom so these aren't smudged along your window during the cleaning process.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 24 Oct. 2025
In an almost identical look, Tessa Thompson’s London Film Festival look was all about dark polish, black, smudged eye-corners and peach lips.
—Essence, 13 Oct. 2025
Noun
Sheriff Anthony Wickersham said the probe so far involved 23 search warrants and a Ford Escape SUV believed to be used in the incident identified through brake dust on the wheel well, smudges and bird droppings.
—Christina Hall, Freep.com, 22 Oct. 2025
The draw to the formula is its transfer-proof watery texture that delivers an unexpected punch of color on all skin tones—and one that will last throughout the night for smudge-free color.
—Iman Balagam, Vogue, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smudge
Cite this Entry
“Smudge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/smudge. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
smudge
1 of 2 verb
smudged; smudging
1
a
: to make a smudge on
b
: to soil as if by smudging
2
: to make a smudge
a chalk that does not smudge
3
: to become smudged
charcoal drawings smudge easily
smudge
2 of 2 noun1
a
: a blurry spot or streak : smear
2
: a fire made to smoke (as for protecting fruit from frost)
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share