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
Oskar Garcia,
New York Times,
15 June 2026
Over in the next aisle, Gifty Anderson, who typically buys bales from Canada and the United Kingdom, held up a dress smeared with body makeup and tossed it aside without a second thought.
—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Footwear News,
8 June 2026
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
3 June 2026
Years of unrelenting pressure—smear campaigns, interrogations, arrests, a violent raid, and underhanded attempts at control—had succeeded in breaking it.
—
Bozorgmehr Sharafedin,
The Atlantic,
1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for smear
Verb
Blood smeared the surface of the octagon.
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Oskar Garcia,
New York Times,
15 June 2026
Over in the next aisle, Gifty Anderson, who typically buys bales from Canada and the United Kingdom, held up a dress smeared with body makeup and tossed it aside without a second thought.
—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Footwear News,
8 June 2026
Noun
Plus, its native 165Hz refresh rate obliterates motion blur and frame smear across sports and cinematic gaming.
—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
3 June 2026
Years of unrelenting pressure—smear campaigns, interrogations, arrests, a violent raid, and underhanded attempts at control—had succeeded in breaking it.
—
Bozorgmehr Sharafedin,
The Atlantic,
1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for smear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smear
Verb
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But a closer examination paints a more complicated picture.
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Hakan Akgun / Anadolu via Getty Images The Houston stadium exploded with thundering applause, fans in blue jerseys and cheeks painted with the Cape Verdean flag cheering with joy.
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.
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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.
Noun
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The French influencer Eros Brousson strikes again – this time with Waffle House slander.
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The slander towards the course throughout the week was aplenty, and warranted.
Noun
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Ignoring water stains can lead to mold growth, structural damage, or costly repairs over time.
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Textra 11 Apex is not trying to replace a heavy-duty carpet extractor, and Fanttik is clear that it is not intended for stubborn, set-in stains or pet hair removal.
Verb
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Mold still coats the walls along with holes in the ceiling.
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The original is coated in dark chocolate, though there is also now a milk chocolate version on shelves.
Verb
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Instead, they are encouraged to view blue zones primarily through the lens of a sloppy critique that has already been discredited.
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This doesn’t discredit the fact that mental and physical changes from menopause can be disorienting and jarring.
Noun
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Just attack and make all kinds of innuendo and attacks with no substance.
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Yes, a few zingers hit their target, and some sly innuendoes tap into He-Man’s gay following.
Noun
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There are faint smudges of pastel crayon on the wall and carved profanities with paint chips revealing the previous cerulean walls.
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Between sunscreen smudges, salty beach days, and long afternoons by the pool, your favorite shades are exposed to everything the season has to offer.
Cite this Entry
“Smear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smear. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
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