smear

1 of 2

noun

ˈsmir 

1

a

: a viscous or sticky substance

b

: a spot made by or as if by an unctuous or adhesive substance

2

: material smeared on a surface (as of a microscopic slide)

also : a preparation made by smearing material on a surface

a vaginal smear

3

: a usually unsubstantiated charge or accusation against a person or organization

—often used attributively

a smear campaign

a smear job

smear

2 of 2

verb

smeared; smearing; smears

transitive verb

1

a

: to overspread with something unctuous, viscous, or adhesive : daub

smeared the paper with glue

b

: to spread over a surface

2

a

: to stain, smudge, or dirty by or as if by smearing

b

: sully, besmirch

specifically : to vilify especially by secretly and maliciously spreading grave charges and imputations

3

: to obliterate, obscure, blur, blend, wipe out, or defeat by or as if by smearing

smearer noun

Synonyms of smear

Verb

• paint
• coat
• daub
• stain
• anoint
• plaster
• besmear

Examples of smear in a Sentence

Noun

The blood smear revealed malaria.

Verb

The children smeared the window with fingerprints.

She smeared jam on her toast.

Butter was smeared all over the counter.

Her mascara smeared when she cried.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Cusack added in separate posts that Trump’s impeachment and removal were non-negotiable, and praised Michigan Senate race winner Abdul El-Sayed as a smart progressive who overcame a smear campaign. — Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 4 Nov. 2026

So that may translate into a mussel atop a smear of Malört cheese. — John Kessler, Chicago Tribune, 3 Nov. 2026

Verb

For months now, so much vitriol crept into our TVs, interrupting the Bears or your favorite college football team with a special message from a super PAC or a partisan looking to score points by smearing their opponents. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 3 Nov. 2026

Trump has made his willingness to smear news organizations an essential aspect of his appeal. — Stephen Engelberg, ProPublica, 3 Nov. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English smere, from Old English smeoru; akin to Old High German smero grease and probably to Old Irish smiur marrow

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing smear

• cervical smear
• Papanicolaou smear
• Pap smear
• smear test

Rhymes for smear

• beer
• bier
• cheer
• clear
• dear
• deer
• drear
• ear
• fear
• fier
• gear
• hear

Kids Definition

smear

1 of 2 noun

ˈsmi(ə)r 

1

: a spot made by or as if by an oily or sticky substance : smudge

2

: material smeared on a surface

especially : material prepared for microscopic examination by smearing on a slide compare pap smear

3

: a usually unproven charge or accusation

smear

2 of 2 verb

1

a

: to spread with something oily or sticky

b

: to spread over a surface

2

a

: to stain, smudge, or dirty by or as if by smearing

b

: to harm the reputation of

3

: to blot out or blur by or as if by smearing

smearer noun

Medical Definition

smear

1 of 2 noun

ˈsmi(ə)r 

: material spread on a surface (as of a microscopic slide)

also : a preparation made by spreading material on a surface see pap smear, vaginal smear

smear

2 of 2 transitive verb

: to prepare as a smear for microscopic examination : make a smear of