smear

noun \ ˈsmir \

Updated on: 16 Apr 2018

Definition of smear

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

See smear defined for English-language learners

See smear defined for kids

Examples of smear in a Sentence

The blood smear revealed malaria.

Recent Examples of smear from the Web

Slutsky has suggested that the women's allegations were part of a political smear campaign.

— kara fox, CNN, "The silence is over: Russian women find their voice against harassment," 12 Apr. 2018
In Griffin’s case, the blend of blindly ambitious head coach, enabling owner, career-threatening injury and blatant smear campaign was crippling.

— conor orr, SI.com, "Will Robert Griffin III Rebound in Baltimore?," 4 Apr. 2018
Rumors of McMaster’s ouster have persisted for months, possibly fueled by a right-wing smear campaign stemming from his decision to boot Steve Bannon from the National Security Council.

— margaret hartmann, Daily Intelligencer, "A Guide to Which Trump Staffer Is Getting Fired Next," 16 Mar. 2018
The school shooting survivors of Parkland, Florida, started a movement affecting real change in gun laws despite vile victim-blaming, social media smear campaigns, and blatant taunting from the NRA.

— refinery29.com, "One Of The Only 2018 Studio Films Directed By A Woman Is So Vital," 28 Mar. 2018
Meanwhile cook the burgers for 3 minutes per side, salting and peppering both sides to taste Toast buns and smear Cheez Whiz on each half.

— San Antonio Express-News, "Recipe: Bean Burger," 28 Mar. 2018
Hearst famously wanted to suppress the film, banning mentions of the studio RKO in his newspapers and running a smear campaign against director and star Orson Welles.

— rachel kaufman, Smithsonian, "The Drama Intensifies When “Timeless” Visits “Hollywoodland”," 26 Mar. 2018
Even in death, a racist smear campaign works overtime against them.

— lara witt, Teen Vogue, "Why Are People Afraid to Call the Austin Bomber a Terrorist?," 22 Mar. 2018
The Iraq war veteran, who got married last month, has called the accusations part of a political or personal smear campaign against him.

— Philly.com, "Pa. Rep. Nick Miccarelli, accused of abusing two women, to forgo reelection," 21 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'smear.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of smear

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

smear

verb

Definition of smear

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

See smear defined for English-language learners

Examples of smear in a Sentence

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 of smear from the Web

Eating it in a shopping cart GUARANTEES it will be smeared on the handle, etc.

— scott berson, charlotteobserver, "Mom called 'inconsiderate' and 'disgusting' for letting kid eat peanut butter in Target | Charlotte Observer," 12 Apr. 2018
How could these people countenance whole groups of their fellow human beings being negatively stereotyped and smeared?

— sally kohn, Glamour, "Sally Kohn: You—Yes, You—Are Guilty of Hate," 10 Apr. 2018
The president and his allies are accused by opponents of trying to silence mainstream media, smearing critics and using the legal system to press criminal charges against opposition politicians, especially women in power—like Ms. Robredo.

— jake maxwell watts, WSJ, "Recount Begins in Election That Could Bring Marcos Family Back to Power," 2 Apr. 2018
Romesco is truly versatile, so grab a knife and smear some on turkey sandwiches or a broccolini cheesesteak for a new dimension of flavor.

— aliza abarbanel, Bon Appetit, "5 Healthy Store-Bought Sauces that Make Weeknight Cooking WAY Chill," 19 Mar. 2018
Although he was removed from it last June, Chastain recently filed a $3 million suit arguing that the city intended to smear his reputation.

— the kansas city star editorial board, kansascity, "City Hall has a watch list for security purposes. But why is it a secret? | The Kansas City Star," 18 Mar. 2018
In the footage, dirt can be seen smearing the walls, and huge piles of clothes appear on the floors.

— chris harris, PEOPLE.com, "Teen Who Escaped California House of Horrors Posted Videos to YouTube of Herself Singing: Report," 6 Mar. 2018
There's a very subtle hint of blue cheese-style funk to the ham — a single note that becomes part of a beautiful three-part harmony when smeared with the sweet fermented honey and Dijon butter that accompany it.

— mark kurlyandchik, Detroit Free Press, "Best New Restaurant #2: Lady of the House, Corktown," 16 Feb. 2018
Blood collected on the porch and smeared across the storm door.

— ryan martin, Indianapolis Star, "A murder victim's cellphone led IMPD detectives to the suspect's home," 10 Jan. 2018

First Known Use of smear

before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

smear Synonyms

Synonyms

asperse, blacken, defame, libel, malign, slander, traduce, vilify;

Near Antonyms

exalt, glorify, honor;

acclaim, applaud, commend, praise;

esteem, respect;

admire, regard;

adore, revere, venerate, worship;

discredit, disgrace, dishonor, shame;

abase, debase, degrade, humble, humiliate;

disdain, scorn;

SMEAR Defined for English Language Learners

smear

noun

Definition of smear for English Language Learners

: a dirty mark, spot, streak, etc., made by touching or rubbing something
medical : a very small sample of something (such as skin or blood) that someone examines with a microscope
: an untrue story about a person that is meant to hurt that person's reputation

smear

verb

Definition of smear for English Language Learners

: to make (something) dirty by rubbing it with something else
: to spread (something) over a surface
: to spread or drip in an untidy way

SMEAR Defined for Kids

smear

verb \ ˈsmir \

Definition of smear for Students

smeared; smearing

1 : to spread or soil with something oily or sticky

So Bean carefully smeared white all over Ivy's face except her lips.
—Annie Barrows, Ivy {ampersand} Bean

2 : to spread over a surface

Her makeup smeared.

3 : to harm the reputation of (someone) with false statements

smear

noun

Definition of smear for Students

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

Medical Dictionary

smear

noun \ ˈsmi(ə)r \

medical Definition of smear

: 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