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
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Recent Examples of smear
Todd Richmond, Fortune, 10 Feb. 2026
As a result, calls for action have been met with suspicion, with some online commentators accusing feminists of making up MaskPark as a way to smear Chinese men.
—New York Times, 2 Feb. 2026
Julia Sullivan, SELF, 4 Feb. 2026
And along the length of the passenger door was a reddish-brown hori-zontal smear.
—Scott Eden, Rolling Stone, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for smear
Verb
The attorneys went on to argue that Pavlovich’s lawsuits were the culmination of a plan to smear Gaiman and that any legal disputes should be resolved in New Zealand, not the United States.
—Todd Richmond, Fortune, 10 Feb. 2026
As a result, calls for action have been met with suspicion, with some online commentators accusing feminists of making up MaskPark as a way to smear Chinese men.
—New York Times, 2 Feb. 2026
Noun
An abnormal Pap smear Okay, this one isn’t necessarily a symptom of cervical cancer.
—Julia Sullivan, SELF, 4 Feb. 2026
And along the length of the passenger door was a reddish-brown hori-zontal smear.
—Scott Eden, Rolling Stone, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for smear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smear
Verb
-
His office in the church is painted in deep burgundy and green, with an overstuffed couch to welcome visitors and his father’s war decorations hanging prominently.—
Caitlin Hu,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
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However, the tricolor blend of calico hair is reduced to two opposing shades, which are painted in horizontal bands across the head, in the halo aesthetic.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
20 Feb. 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
-
Simple fasting from food can be ruined — rendered not pleasing to Allah — if spoiled by telling lies, slander, denouncing someone behind his back, swearing a false oath, greed or covetousness.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Kennedy's attorneys are claiming defamation both in the form of libel and slander, and are alleging civil conspiracy to make false accusations, along with assault, battery, and more.—
Lauren Linder,
CBS News,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Unexplained stains on a new pair of trousers.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
18 Feb. 2026
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For older water stains or for camouflaging other stains, Mock advises following a process that aims to blend the stain with the surrounding area, as lifting the stain entirely isn’t possible without discoloring the leather.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Beyond cost and cleanliness In conventional battery production, active materials, carbon additives and binders are mixed into a wet slurry, coated onto metal foil and dried.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Dip each marshmallow in butter, then in the cinnamon sugar mixture to coat.—
Sarah Martens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
All four men were subjected to police interrogation techniques that are now widely discredited for leading to false confessions.—
Austin Sanders,
Austin American Statesman,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Meta’s lawyers have so far sought to discredit the idea of social media addiction, while simultaneously casting doubt on whether Kaley actually has it.—
Sonja Sharp,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Online, true crime fanatics have parsed through information about the case — filling in the limited details with rumor, innuendo and sometimes downright conspiracy.—
James Rainey,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
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Cheng draws on new research for this book and promises to cut through the propaganda, innuendo, and mystery surrounding the Kims and North Korea.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Eyeglasses Protect your eyeglasses and clear vision by using special optic cleaning cloths to remove smudges since microfiber cloths can cause delicate scratches on special anti-reflective and mirror coatings.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
17 Feb. 2026
-
The reason lipstick feathers or smudges is emollience.—
Ellie Davis,
Vogue,
12 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Smear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smear. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.
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