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
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of smear
Alison Willmore, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
It was reduced to a white smear that could only be identified from the air.
—Michael Jerome Plunkett
september 5, Literary Hub, 5 Sep. 2025
Michael Slaten, Oc Register, 14 Sep. 2025
Ciarlo has been a beauty aficionado from her early age of sneaking into her mother's makeup drawer and smearing Joker-esque lipstick on her face.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smear
Verb
During their first night out together, the couple ducks into a Spanish nightclub, drinking under a smear of colored lights and then dancing.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
It was reduced to a white smear that could only be identified from the air.
—Michael Jerome Plunkett
september 5, Literary Hub, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
Shohreh Dupuis left her job as city manager of Laguna Beach two years ago, in the wake of a squabble with a city council member, a threat of a harassment lawsuit, and an inquiry into into how her house came to be smeared with feces.
—Michael Slaten, Oc Register, 14 Sep. 2025
Ciarlo has been a beauty aficionado from her early age of sneaking into her mother's makeup drawer and smearing Joker-esque lipstick on her face.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smear
Verb
-
The sign — fixed high on the outside wall of the black and red painted concrete block building — was to be removed before demolition and donated to the Wisconsin Black Historical Society/ Museum under the requirements of the demolition contract.—
Mary Spicuzza,
jsonline.com,
6 Oct. 2025
-
The Athletic’s timelines from both games paint a picture of just how little threat Wolves posed when leading, especially in yesterday’s game.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 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
-
Some of his personal attacks warrant lawsuits for slander.—
D. Scott Schmid,
Denver Post,
22 Sep. 2025
-
Kerry Washington isn't here for any Julia Stiles dance slander.—
Lauren Huff,
Entertainment Weekly,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
After the hat has cooled, Rosa—a factory floor veteran of 30 years—will steam it to relax the fur’s fibers, and then inspect it for stains and imperfections.—
Eric Twardzik,
Robb Report,
3 Oct. 2025
-
To clean food stains or mineral deposits, spray the area with a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and water.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In this recipe, country music star Lainey Wilson draws on her Louisiana roots, rolling the regional sausage into balls before coating them in breadcrumbs and frying until crispy on the outside, but still tender inside.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Oil the entire pan Once the pan is clean, use a kitchen or paper towel to coat it with a thin layer of oil (emphasis on thin).—
Julie Harans,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Khan and his lawyers have contended that Netanyahu and his allies are exploiting a vulnerable woman in order to discredit the case against the Israeli leaders.—
David D. Kirkpatrick,
New Yorker,
5 Oct. 2025
-
Felt, in classic Hoover fashion, then leaked information to discredit Gray, hoping to replace him.—
Douglas M. Charles,
The Conversation,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Playful innuendo and flirty games take a bizarre turn and the situation gets deadly when the chainsaw comes out.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Like, there's an innuendo in there.—
Outside Online,
Outside Online,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Few things are as distracting (and frustrating) as a pesky smudge on your glasses.—
Claire Hoppe Norgaard,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Black inks for the same printers tend to have less obvious smearing than the color ink, and many smear just enough to see a smudge, without harming readability.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Smear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smear. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share