bedaubed 1 of 2

adjective

as in gaudy

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bedaubed

2 of 2

verb

past tense of bedaub
as in smeared
to rub an oily or sticky substance over the toddler delightedly bedaubed herself with her mother's makeup

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bedaubed
  1. gaudy
  2. smeared
  3. garish
  4. painted
  5. showy
  6. coated
  7. tawdry
  8. swank
Adjective
  • The subsidy headlined a gaudy incentive package offering property and sales tax exemptions, discount electricity and payments for infrastructure in exchange for about 9,000 jobs.
    — Mark Dee August 2, Idaho Statesman, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Those bulbs are dormant now, so shop for and plant bugle lilies, species gladiolas (a million times better than gaudy, fancy hybrid gladiolus), native mariposa lilies, baboon flower, and more.
    — Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of gaudy
Verb
  • Camille can still picture Burke standing over her, fake blood smeared across her dress.
    — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2026
  • There’s rarely anything as straightforward as a kick drum, a hi-hat, or even a bassline here; instead, everything is smeared, all origins occulted in a thicket of echoes and reflections.
    — Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of smeared
Adjective
  • Our test car’s blue-and-silver two-tone finish was striking without becoming garish, though subtlety is always relative when the hood stretches this far and the grille resembles the entrance to a private bank.
    — Karl Brauer, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
  • Once, plastic surgery seemed garish, its own obvious signs a kind of cost that people paid for refusing to appear old.
    — Jia Tolentino, New Yorker, 11 July 2026
Definition of garish
Verb
  • The researchers recovered usable DNA from 95 historical specimens spanning nearly 140 years and compared them with modern samples collected in the 2000s, and the results painted a sobering picture.
    — Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The Miami-Dade State’s Attorney’s Office painted Obumseli as a victim of domestic violence in the case against Clenney, citing the couple’s allegedly combative relationship.
    — Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of painted
Adjective
  • Seline, a 14- to 17-course epicurean adventure told through seasonal and regional ingredients, innovative techniques and showy plating that makes use of bones, antlers and bowls within bowls, has been racking up accolades in 2026.
    — Carrie Bell, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
  • With dark glossy leaves and showy white flowers, peace lilies are a traditional houseplant and make a good housewarming or sympathy gift.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of showy
Verb
  • Toss well, adding noodle water one splash at a time, until the sauce is creamy and everything is coated evenly.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Combine ham, turkey, cheese, and pickles in a large bowl; add dressing and mix until well coated.
    — Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of coated
Adjective
  • So graceful and powerful, without feeling tawdry.
    — Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 22 June 2026
  • Chicago stories, books about music or celebrities, history lessons, or tawdry, trashy novels that are secretly good?
    — Kayla Samoy, Chicago Tribune, 3 June 2026
Definition of tawdry
Adjective
  • North Fork, Long Island Often billed as a less swanky alternative to the Hamptons, the North Fork of Long Island has all the makings of a fall getaway.
    — Jessica Sulima, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Aug. 2026
  • On Saturday evening, Kielpinski spoke about the importance of replacing the existing building during a swanky fundraiser overlooking the water at Descanso Beach Club in Avalon.
    — Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of swank
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Bedaubed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bedaubed. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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