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.
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Recent Examples of smear
Jessica Kiang, Variety, 22 May 2026
Cara Mangini spoons these luscious tomatoes over crostini that she's smeared with goat cheese or ricotta, then tops each with extra basil.
—Ginger Crichton, Midwest Living, 21 May 2026
Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 May 2026
Israel has alleged a global smear campaign.
—Stoyan Nenov, USA Today, 17 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for smear
Verb
His windshield is smeared with the dust of a lengthy road journey.
—Jessica Kiang, Variety, 22 May 2026
Cara Mangini spoons these luscious tomatoes over crostini that she's smeared with goat cheese or ricotta, then tops each with extra basil.
—Ginger Crichton, Midwest Living, 21 May 2026
Noun
Aldridge was offered the role for the rest of its run, but the press immediately undertook a racist smear campaign against him.
—Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 May 2026
Israel has alleged a global smear campaign.
—Stoyan Nenov, USA Today, 17 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for smear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smear
Verb
-
For years, radical climate activists have painted a bleak view of the future.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
29 May 2026
-
As readers are now no doubt aware, the 2026 regulations have painted the sport into a bit of a corner.—
Jonathan M. Gitlin,
ArsTechnica,
29 May 2026
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
-
The slander towards the course throughout the week was aplenty, and warranted.—
Mark Harris OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
25 May 2026
-
And always these massacres were preceded by vilification, by slanders.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
Use a baking soda paste to help with stubborn stains.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
3 June 2026
-
Protagonist Jo’s mother disappeared when Jo was a teen, tainting her daughter with the stain of possible witchcraft.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
Typically this involves coating the inside with cooking oil and turning the smoker on to burn off any residue and re-season it.—
Maria Sabella,
The Spruce,
4 June 2026
-
Add the rice and stir to coat in the oil.—
Emily Weinstein,
Twin Cities,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
After the war, his goalscoring statistics were deleted and his achievements were discredited, with the Polish press labelling him as mentally unstable and an alcoholic.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
1 June 2026
-
Hit men are dispatched, homicide takes hold, and a smear campaign is hatched to discredit Zaminsky as faking signals to keep his SETI gig.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
31 May 2026
Noun
-
Weather experts, emergency managers, and other officials do not need to waste time swatting down viral rumors and innuendo.—
Marshall Shepherd,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2026
-
Annette Bening does her best with all the hazy innuendo her character has to deliver.—
Noel Murray,
Vulture,
22 May 2026
Noun
-
Here are a couple more cardigans to complete the all-white outfit — and just remember, summer style is meant to feel lived-in, even if that means a smudge or two along the way.—
Jeaneen Russell,
PEOPLE,
1 June 2026
-
The formula is transfer-resistant, waterproof and smudge-resistant, helping makeup maintain its appearance through long days.—
Corein Carter,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Smear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smear. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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