1
as in to paint
to rub an oily or sticky substance over
the toddler gleefully smeared her hair and face with maple syrup
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in to libel
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
1
as in slander
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of smear
Tribune News Service, Twin Cities, 1 Apr. 2025
They were usually surrounded by toddlers, soiling their pull-ups while smeared with frosting.
—Dan Ewen, Deadline, 18 Apr. 2025
Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025
Emin herself is represented often as a frenzy of breasts and legs, with a brown smear on her waist meant to depict a urostomy bag, her on-site studio collaborator told the press.
—Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smear
Verb
Fluoridation was initially smeared as a communist plot against America, Hayes said, and then later fears arose of possible links to cancer, which were refuted through extensive scientific research.
—Tribune News Service, Twin Cities, 1 Apr. 2025
They were usually surrounded by toddlers, soiling their pull-ups while smeared with frosting.
—Dan Ewen, Deadline, 18 Apr. 2025
Noun
While it was once known for its unity and influence over GOP leadership, Luna's departure—as well as her allegations of backroom maneuvering and smears—is the latest sign of fragmentation within the group.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025
Emin herself is represented often as a frenzy of breasts and legs, with a brown smear on her waist meant to depict a urostomy bag, her on-site studio collaborator told the press.
—Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smear
Verb
-
In addition to the federal case, Combs faces a torrent of civil suits that paint the one-time hip-hop kingmaker as a longtime abuser.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
10 May 2025
-
The book painted the Ninth Circuit as a hotbed of corruption, but as Peffer’s 2024 campaign was taking shape, there was no indication that the book Peffer promoted had any impact in that judicial circuit.—
Rafael Olmeda,
Sun Sentinel,
9 May 2025
Verb
-
In 2022, Manhattan Federal Judge Jed Rakoff, who presided over both trials, decided The Times was not liable for defamation while jurors were deliberating, that the error amounted to unfortunate editorializing but not libel.—
Molly Crane-Newman,
New York Daily News,
22 Apr. 2025
-
As a new, inexpensive Chevrolet appeared in 1927 and The Dearborn Independent was sued for libeling a number of Jewish businessmen, Ford threw in the towel and apologized.—
George Pendle,
airmail.news,
15 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The offended and outraged prince and his parliament took the Hunt brothers to court for slander and won.—
Emily Zarevich,
JSTOR Daily,
4 Apr. 2025
-
Knox appealed the slander conviction and the Court of Cassation annulled it, CBS News reports.—
KC Baker,
People.com,
23 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
On cross-examination, defense attorney Alan Jackson asked if grass stains could come from someone being dragged.—
Michael Ruiz , Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
13 May 2025
-
The parents told him that the stains started appearing shortly after the town built a communal water pipeline to a warm spring about 5 miles away.—
Angela Palermo,
Idaho Statesman,
12 May 2025
Verb
-
Processing the pictures, from coating the plate to presenting the developing image, can feel a bit like a ceremony.—
Marah Eakin,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2025
-
Designed to deliver buildable volume and definition, the long-wear formula doesn’t smudge and has an innovative conical brush to coat every lash without clumping.—
Celia Shatzman,
Forbes.com,
29 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Crucially, this emerging capability to emulate human thought–like behaviors does not confirm or discredit chatbot consciousness.—
Susan Schneider,
Scientific American,
1 May 2025
-
Elon Musk also shared one portraying Harris discrediting her own credentials.—
Emily Forlini,
PC Magazine,
28 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
To the relief of everybody, weeks of rumors/subterfuge/smokescreens/innuendo come to a merciful end.—
Jim Reineking,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2025
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The ironic bits and poignant moments rarely gel and a focus on redundant innuendos takes precedence over character development and a meaningful storyline.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Shop the best sweatproof mascaras Say goodbye to streaks, smears, and smudges with these mascaras that actually stay put.—
Sara Coughlin,
SELF,
23 Apr. 2025
-
After 30 to 60 seconds under a UV lamp, your manicure is smudge proof and long-wearing.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
9 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Smear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smear. Accessed 18 May. 2025.
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