as in defamation
the making of false statements that damage another's reputation
this smearing has got to stop, or the voters will conclude that there's absolutely no one worth voting for
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in coating
to rub an oily or sticky substance over
the toddler gleefully smeared her hair and face with maple syrup
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in libeling
to make untrue and harmful statements about
he is willing to smear his opponent if doing so would win the election
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of smearing
Gary Baum,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Apr. 2026
Whereas the initial narrowband signal might have a strong power across just a few frequencies, the smearing spreads that power across more frequencies, reducing the strength of the signal.
—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
8 Mar. 2026
Black inks for the same printers tend to have less obvious smearing than the color ink, and many smear just enough to see a smudge, without harming readability.
—
PC Magazine,
30 Sep. 2025
If the smearing continues, look for a position elsewhere.
—
Rolling Stone Culture Council,
Rolling Stone,
10 Sep. 2025
Paola Miglio,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 June 2026
This will lead to smearing dust particles around instead of picking them up, which is where a wet cloth comes into play.
—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
5 June 2026
While being held at the Independence Police Department’s detention unit, Ashley allegedly damaged the inside of a cell by smearing feces and blood on the walls and floor.
—
Kansas City Star,
19 May 2026
In 2012, the gossip site Gawker, infamous for smearing conservative activists, published embarrassing footage of Hogan that had been secretly recorded and had no legitimate news value.
—
George Harris,
The Orlando Sentinel,
3 Apr. 2026
The pigment lasts all day without smearing.
—
Catharine Malzahn,
Glamour,
18 Mar. 2026
Mullin did not apologize for his remarks and instead accused Paul of smearing his character.
—
Andrea Castillo,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Mar. 2026
Micron has come a long way since its humble founding nearly half a century ago in the basement of a Boise dental office, where sedative gas wafted through the floorboards and an early executive used a hair dryer to keep the company’s logo from smearing off its chips.
—
Angela Palermo,
Idaho Statesman,
11 Mar. 2026
Anderson has countersued and accused Burkle of smearing his reputation amid a separate business dispute.
—
Sacbee.com,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
So far, several celebrities have been tied to the smearing.
—
Gary Baum,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Apr. 2026
Whereas the initial narrowband signal might have a strong power across just a few frequencies, the smearing spreads that power across more frequencies, reducing the strength of the signal.
—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
8 Mar. 2026
Black inks for the same printers tend to have less obvious smearing than the color ink, and many smear just enough to see a smudge, without harming readability.
—
PC Magazine,
30 Sep. 2025
If the smearing continues, look for a position elsewhere.
—
Rolling Stone Culture Council,
Rolling Stone,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
At the entrance of Kollparay, Quispe pauses, taking my hands and smearing them with soil—the soil of her village.
—
Paola Miglio,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 June 2026
This will lead to smearing dust particles around instead of picking them up, which is where a wet cloth comes into play.
—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
5 June 2026
While being held at the Independence Police Department’s detention unit, Ashley allegedly damaged the inside of a cell by smearing feces and blood on the walls and floor.
—
Kansas City Star,
19 May 2026
In 2012, the gossip site Gawker, infamous for smearing conservative activists, published embarrassing footage of Hogan that had been secretly recorded and had no legitimate news value.
—
George Harris,
The Orlando Sentinel,
3 Apr. 2026
The pigment lasts all day without smearing.
—
Catharine Malzahn,
Glamour,
18 Mar. 2026
Mullin did not apologize for his remarks and instead accused Paul of smearing his character.
—
Andrea Castillo,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Mar. 2026
Micron has come a long way since its humble founding nearly half a century ago in the basement of a Boise dental office, where sedative gas wafted through the floorboards and an early executive used a hair dryer to keep the company’s logo from smearing off its chips.
—
Angela Palermo,
Idaho Statesman,
11 Mar. 2026
Anderson has countersued and accused Burkle of smearing his reputation amid a separate business dispute.
—
Sacbee.com,
6 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smearing
Noun
-
Ashley failed to prove defamation, as there was no evidence Adam knowingly made false statements or that her reputation was harmed by the private complaint.
-
Griffin filed a federal defamation lawsuit in Nevada on Monday, June 15, saying her middle school classmate Joleene Altum made false allegations against Griffin, according to documents obtained obtained by USA TODAY.
Verb
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The Shanghai researchers say the coating can be applied using conventional automotive spray-coating techniques.
-
According to the American Cleaning Institute, certain laundry additives function by coating fabric surfaces, meaning that residues may remain even after rinsing.
Verb
-
Shocking lies Within hours, the administration was slandering her.
-
And then the media was slandering our dad’s name and reputation after a lifetime of being a fairly wholesome guy.
Noun
-
Baldoni, who denied the allegations, filed a gargantuan defamation suit for $400 million against Lively and her camp, as well as a $250 million libel suit against The New York Times’ coverage of the claims.
-
Sabellico sued him for libel, arguing those comments were malicious and defamatory.
Verb
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Until 1813, the Raphael Loggia was open to the elements and suffered damage from rain and exposure, said Paolo Violini, in charge of painting restoration at the Vatican Museums.
-
In Idaho, vistas of the Smoky Mountains rising above alpine lakes look like a Bob Ross painting come to life.
Verb
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Policymakers defend draconian cuts to Medicaid by maligning the work ethic or honesty of low-income women, despite substantial evidence to the contrary.
-
Underneath it, the authors of the flyer listed a few dubious talking points maligning immigrants.
Verb
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But there is a distinction, Kutwala said, between flying flags from one’s own property and daubing paint across the town.
Verb
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Why are adults so comfortable publicly disgracing Black teenage girls going to their prom and being cruel toward strangers who are sometimes half their age?
-
The plotting becomes needlessly complicated at times, such as with Jack becoming a local hero after foiling a burglary, and later disgracing himself with a drunken tirade at a Christmas tree lighting ceremony, which leads to him being arrested and put on trial.
Cite this Entry
“Smearing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smearing. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
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