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
Related Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of smear
Sacbee.com, 6 Mar. 2026
Grainy mustard smeared on a chunk of corned beef is delicious too.
—Tribune Content Agency, Baltimore Sun, 4 Mar. 2026
Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 27 Feb. 2026
Multiple public opinion polls conducted in 2024 and 2025 showed roughly half to two-thirds of the country in support of DEI programs, despite the smear campaign against them.
—Kenji Yoshino, Time, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for smear
Verb
Anderson has countersued and accused Burkle of smearing his reputation amid a separate business dispute.
—Sacbee.com, 6 Mar. 2026
Grainy mustard smeared on a chunk of corned beef is delicious too.
—Tribune Content Agency, Baltimore Sun, 4 Mar. 2026
Noun
The bolani was a more than generous pile, soft flatbread filled with a smear of potatoes, scorching hot and fragrant with chives.
—Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 27 Feb. 2026
Multiple public opinion polls conducted in 2024 and 2025 showed roughly half to two-thirds of the country in support of DEI programs, despite the smear campaign against them.
—Kenji Yoshino, Time, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for smear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smear
Verb
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The clay can be shaped, molded, and even dried and painted.—
Chaunie Brusie,
Parents,
13 Mar. 2026
-
The mural was painted by co-owner Ed Roehr’s sister, Rebecca Roehr.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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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
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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
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Beijing has strongly denied those claims, calling them a fabrication and malicious slander.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 Mar. 2026
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Ohiku's complaint accused the defendants, including Kohlheim, City Clerk Jim Owczarski and Common Council President José Pérez, of libel, slander and negligent supervision.—
Vanessa Swales,
jsonline.com,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Walk the inside perimeter and glance at ceilings or upper walls for any water stains, especially in attic spaces.—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
11 Mar. 2026
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Leading their rise to prominence are recent debuts from Huda Beauty and Summer Fridays to Covergirl and NYX, all of which promise the precision of a classic liner with the staying power of a stain.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The signature Hula pie, featuring macadamia nut ice cream coated with an outer chocolate crust and drizzled with chocolate fudge, will return to the dessert menu.—
Angela Osorio,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
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Dusting windshields, coating sidewalks and veiling Atlanta’s spring sunshine in a golden haze.—
Nancy Badertscher,
AJC.com,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Election experts widely discredited the review as shoddy and partisan.—
Benjamin Swasey,
NPR,
9 Mar. 2026
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These accusations are coming from far-right and far-left accounts as well as anti-Israel groups, such as Students for Justice in Palestine, that are inclined to discredit Israel.—
Andrew Silow-Carroll,
Sun Sentinel,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The clash unfolds with comedic innuendos as both models inadvertently start to flirt with the same man, Charlie, the owner of the location where the photoshoot for the brand takes place.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
3 Mar. 2026
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Online, true crime fanatics have parsed through information about the case — filling in the limited details with rumor, innuendo and sometimes downright conspiracy.—
James Rainey,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
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While these sticks are creamy in texture, the product is still smudge-proof and crease-resistant, and lasts all day.—
Micaela English,
Glamour,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Wear gloves to avoid leaving fingerprints and smudges.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Smear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smear. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.
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