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
Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations said a man hurled pages of the Quran and smeared feces on the door of the mosque.
—Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
CBS News, 15 Mar. 2026
On Saturday, a gruesome smear of dark red blood could still be found on the sidewalk, with specks of blood being found near a Citi Bike charging station.
—Rebecca White, New York Daily News, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for smear
Verb
Clearly, the presence of sugar was no deterrent, as the dog appeared to have enthusiastically investigated the fallen bag, emerging with powdered evidence smeared across his face.
—Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations said a man hurled pages of the Quran and smeared feces on the door of the mosque.
—Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
Noun
So Republican voters are going to vote- the voting booth believing what a Democrat told them on TV based on a smear headline written by a liberal reporter in DC.
—CBS News, 15 Mar. 2026
On Saturday, a gruesome smear of dark red blood could still be found on the sidewalk, with specks of blood being found near a Citi Bike charging station.
—Rebecca White, New York Daily News, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for smear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smear
Verb
-
The plans included renderings of what the building would look like if it's painted white.—
Arden Farhi,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2026
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If the office building is painted white – in a process that would degrade the granite – a visual key to understanding its architectural and political history would be lost.—
Kevin D. Murphy,
The Conversation,
10 Apr. 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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Online filings show Harry and his friend, Mark Dyer, a former trustee at the charity, are being sued for either libel or slander.—
Brian Melley,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
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The court record shows Harry and Dyer, a former Sentebale trustee, are being sued for libel and slander.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The aluminum and paraben-free formula applies easily and doesn’t leave stains or residue.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
8 Apr. 2026
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Designed to blend easily, dry quickly, stay off your clothes (stain-free) and last about six to seven days.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Start simple with soft sourdough and chili oil for dipping or tartare with crispy chips before diving into a cheesy smashburger or ribbons of pasta coated in a creamy mushroom-herb sauce.—
Jennifer Stewart Kornegay,
Southern Living,
9 Apr. 2026
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The show’s name referred to their self-identification as helpless babies overwhelmed by the pressures of modernity, comforted only by coating themselves in fancy serums and moisturizers to recreate the peaceful, placental insulation of the womb.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In Mexico the loss of territory discredited the country’s conservative government and left many of its citizens unsure of their country’s future as an independent state.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
10 Apr. 2026
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This negativism and teen-like outbursts consequently discredit and tarnish the reputation of our country.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Both say there was no wrongdoing and for me the photos are full of innuendo unsubstantiated by proof of anything.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
12 Apr. 2026
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The comedy often leans on innuendo, turning the pickle into a stand-in for something risqué.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Shiny Surfaces Just as with mirrors, shaving cream can help get other shiny and/or smudge-prone surfaces sparkling too.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
13 Apr. 2026
-
There are no smudges on the glass.—
Andrew Marantz,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Smear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smear. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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