as in smearing
to put a thick layer of a liquid, cream, etc. over (something)
We ate lobster slathered with butter. She slathered her skin with sunscreen.
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Recent Examples of slathering
Are people actually slathering their faces with salmon sperm in the name of glass skin?
—
Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 15 Mar. 2026
Look at him carrying his baby to the park, to the market, to the playground; tying a bonnet to her head; slathering her plump pink arms with organic sunblock.
—Daniel Smith, The Atlantic, 27 Feb. 2026
First, there is no way any president can avoid the lens of scrutiny, whether by artists or cameramen, whether slathering a right hand in wet plaster or gummy concealer.
—Harold Holzer, New York Daily News, 8 Feb. 2026
Senior Writer Meghan Overdeep lives at high altitude and swears by slathering Aquaphor Healing Ointment on her hands and lips each night, along with O'Keeffe's for Healthy Feet Foot Cream.
—Melanie Fincher, Southern Living, 6 Feb. 2026
The people who faithfully kept slathering it on their burgers are the story.
—Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2026
Bear in mind, however, that some things aren’t worth the risk such as getting sunburned after slathering on old sunscreen or developing a rash from a skin serum that’s gone bad.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Dec. 2025
Still, the findings hint at the possibility that eating vitamin C—not just slathering it on—could play a role in healthier-looking skin.
—Julia Ries Wexler, Health, 18 Dec. 2025
The tool’s ionic technology also helps your favorite skin-care formulas work more effectively; just flip the spatula over and glide it over your skin after slathering on your serums and moisturizer.
—Emily Orofino, Vogue, 21 Nov. 2025
Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 15 Mar. 2026
Look at him carrying his baby to the park, to the market, to the playground; tying a bonnet to her head; slathering her plump pink arms with organic sunblock.
—Daniel Smith, The Atlantic, 27 Feb. 2026
First, there is no way any president can avoid the lens of scrutiny, whether by artists or cameramen, whether slathering a right hand in wet plaster or gummy concealer.
—Harold Holzer, New York Daily News, 8 Feb. 2026
Senior Writer Meghan Overdeep lives at high altitude and swears by slathering Aquaphor Healing Ointment on her hands and lips each night, along with O'Keeffe's for Healthy Feet Foot Cream.
—Melanie Fincher, Southern Living, 6 Feb. 2026
The people who faithfully kept slathering it on their burgers are the story.
—Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2026
Bear in mind, however, that some things aren’t worth the risk such as getting sunburned after slathering on old sunscreen or developing a rash from a skin serum that’s gone bad.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Dec. 2025
Still, the findings hint at the possibility that eating vitamin C—not just slathering it on—could play a role in healthier-looking skin.
—Julia Ries Wexler, Health, 18 Dec. 2025
The tool’s ionic technology also helps your favorite skin-care formulas work more effectively; just flip the spatula over and glide it over your skin after slathering on your serums and moisturizer.
—Emily Orofino, Vogue, 21 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slathering
Verb
-
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
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.—
Olivia Kemp,
CNN Money,
29 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Slathering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slathering. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.
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