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
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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
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Recent Examples of smear
Mohammed Jawad, Mercury News, 28 Oct. 2025
Robert returns to his desk only to find that Invisigal had stolen him a donut as a gesture of good faith, which is now smeared all over his keyboard for the new janitor, Water Boy, to clean by vomiting H20 on the mess.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2025
CNN Money, 19 Oct. 2025
Chip starts looking into the environmental lawyer who would’ve been privy to those depositions, only to learn that the guy, Kenneth Stockton, found himself in the middle of a smear campaign, mostly by way of stories on Eagle News, and not long after, Kenneth killed himself.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smear
Verb
The Indian government also has produced disinformation to target and smear civil rights groups fighting to protect Californians from caste discrimination.
—Mohammed Jawad, Mercury News, 28 Oct. 2025
Robert returns to his desk only to find that Invisigal had stolen him a donut as a gesture of good faith, which is now smeared all over his keyboard for the new janitor, Water Boy, to clean by vomiting H20 on the mess.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
British Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, who was serving as the government’s representative on the Sunday morning news programs, said a police officer should not be enlisted in a smear campaign.
—CNN Money, 19 Oct. 2025
Chip starts looking into the environmental lawyer who would’ve been privy to those depositions, only to learn that the guy, Kenneth Stockton, found himself in the middle of a smear campaign, mostly by way of stories on Eagle News, and not long after, Kenneth killed himself.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smear
Verb
-
During the week, Barton often painted an image of himself as more sinned against than sinning.—
Greg O'Keeffe,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
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Asthma attacks, severe headaches and lesions on her arms and legs painted a mysterious picture for doctors, some of whom suggested the pain was all in her head.—
Sophie Dodd,
PEOPLE,
9 Nov. 2025
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
-
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
-
Jones accused Parker of slander and defamation, and said the incident could have an impact on the ability of her nonprofit to raise funds.—
Amanda McCoy,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 Oct. 2025
-
The Guardian should sue for slander.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
9 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Spray the mixture onto the stain and then blot with a clean microfiber cloth.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
7 Nov. 2025
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For larger messes, the stain-resistant rug is also machine-washable for quick and hassle-free maintenance.—
Rachel Trujillo,
PEOPLE,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Your glass tabletops, windows, and mirrors may look worse after cleaning them thanks to the dull film coating their surface.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Dip the apple into the liquid candy and rotate it to coat evenly.—
Cody Godwin,
USA Today,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Angels counsel has attempted to discredit these former employees, portraying them as bitter because of their dismissals from the club.—
Sam Blum,
New York Times,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Some of these posts that claim to show theft as a result of no SNAP have been discredited, while others questioned for their authenticity.—
Suzanne Blake,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The latter song definitely required a bit of a disclaimer from Kylie, as the buzzy lyrics are full of innuendos about Travis’ — ahem — package.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
9 Oct. 2025
-
Produced before the rigid censorship of Hollywood’s Hays Code, The Old Dark House is much more explicit than horror films in the years to follow, dripping with provocations and innuendos, with a daring sensibility befitting a director whose own personal life flew in the face of convention.—
Samantha Allen,
Them.,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Those extra ingredients don’t evaporate quickly on glass and can leave frustrating streaks, cloudiness, and smudges behind.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
5 Nov. 2025
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Just walking across them barefoot can leave smudges, and even clean shoes can leave visible marks.—
Lauren Bengtson,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Smear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smear. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
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