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
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
In short, slathering exosomes onto your face after microneedling and lasers may reduce healing time and improve skin quality.
—Victoria Moorhouse, Allure, 1 Oct. 2025
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
In short, slathering exosomes onto your face after microneedling and lasers may reduce healing time and improve skin quality.
—Victoria Moorhouse, Allure, 1 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slathering
Verb
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Micron has come a long way since its humble founding nearly half a century ago in the basement of a Boise dental office, where sedative gas wafted through the floorboards and an early executive used a hair dryer to keep the company’s logo from smearing off its chips.—
Angela Palermo,
Idaho Statesman,
11 Mar. 2026
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Anderson has countersued and accused Burkle of smearing his reputation amid a separate business dispute.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
6 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 16 Mar. 2026.
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