smear 1 of 2

verb

Definition of smearnext
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

smear

2 of 2

noun

1
as in slander

Related Words
2
as in stain

Related Words

Dissimilar 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
Verb
Excessive oil can clog the cloth’s fibers and smear grime across your stainless steel, creating unsightly streaks and residue. — Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 15 July 2026 Investigators said two operatives from Russia’s military traveled to Britain under aliases, smeared the poison on the front door of Skripal’s home and boarded a flight back to Moscow. — Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
Noun
Two smash patties are welded together with cheese; a smear of aioli lends a creaminess. — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026 Lively also accused Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios of attempting to orchestrate a smear campaign against her, allegations Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios have denied. — ABC News, 9 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for smear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smear
  1. paint
  2. libel
  3. slander
  4. stain
  5. coat
  6. discredit
  7. innuendo
  8. smudge
Verb
  • Another time it was painted green with ears to resemble Shrek's head.
    — Mandalit del Barco, NPR, 31 July 2026
  • It was draped over bars, painted onto subway walls and tattooed onto calves and forearms.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 31 July 2026
Definition of paint
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
Definition of libel
Noun
  • David Brouillette denied the allegations in court filings and accused the unnamed ex-wife of slander, the AP reports, but she was granted a temporary protective order on behalf of the daughter in 2021.
    — Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
  • The French influencer Eros Brousson strikes again – this time with Waffle House slander.
    — Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 June 2026
Definition of slander
Noun
  • There are few actual notes to his melodies, just smudges and stains.
    — Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 30 July 2026
  • But none of those items had blood stains, which would have suggested a stabbing.
    — Yana Johnson, NBC news, 29 July 2026
Definition of stain
Verb
  • The wings in the ad appeared to be heavily coated in a thick, dark sauce, and some of the pieces didn’t clearly resemble drums or flats.
    — Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 3 Aug. 2026
  • But soon after a contractor completed work on a protective blue liner, and the pool was refilled, there were reports of coating floating at the surface.
    — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of coat
Verb
  • Those looking to discredit Fauci will surely make hay of these journal entries, which run from December 2019 to December 2022.
    — Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 29 July 2026
  • But questions about the former official’s notes may be intended to do more than shed light on the pandemic’s origins or discredit Fauci’s work.
    — Helen Branswell, STAT, 28 July 2026
Definition of discredit
Noun
  • The way it's being phrased, the innuendo there that transgender women are predators of some kind in the locker room.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Larkin and Yzerman each have their share of blame for that situation, with few hard facts to go off beyond snapshots and innuendo.
    — Max Bultman, New York Times, 17 July 2026
Definition of innuendo
Noun
  • There are few actual notes to his melodies, just smudges and stains.
    — Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 30 July 2026
  • And even outside the direct beam, the scattering of its photons through the atmosphere would create a still-bright smudge of light pollution in the surrounding night sky.
    — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 16 July 2026
Definition of smudge

Browse Nearby Words

smatters
smear
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Cite this Entry

“Smear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smear. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of smear for Spanish Speakers

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