SMEAR Synonyms: 94 Similar and Opposite Words

smear 1 of 2

verb

Definition of smear

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

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

as in slander

Related Words

as in stain

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

vision

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

People have gone from smearing the compound on their faces to using injections, in hopes of achieving firmer, wrinkle-free skin and other anti-aging benefits. — Brittney Melton, NPR, 9 Sep. 2026 Darker smears around the crater’s rim contain surface rocks and lunar dust called regolith previously altered by solar winds, micrometeorites, and cosmic radiation over an extended period of time. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 19 Aug. 2026

Noun

This smear is described mathematically by a wave function which, like a classical wave, has peaks and troughs. — Elise Cutts, Quanta Magazine, 23 Sep. 2026 An international mission in March documented escalating police violence, smear campaigns fueled by public officials, persistent impunity, legal and digital threats and the ruling party’s efforts to tighten its grip over the media, CPJ said. — ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for smear

Recent Examples of Synonyms for smear

Verb

How can painting operate in the same space as the art of physically placing things in space, sculpture?

— Barry Schwabsky, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
The pigments were matched to sunsets painted by Turner and Monet, the sublime effects of which were caused by pollution from the Industrial Revolution, and so the work was likewise beautiful in direct proportion to the poisoning of our atmosphere.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 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

Police found apparent blood stains in several areas of Machado's car, which investigators said Sierra used to drive the victims from the mall to the home.

— Sergio Candido, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026
It’s designed for high-traffic areas like the living room or dining room, thanks to its durable low-pile construction and stain-resistant surface.

— Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of stain

Verb

Components are mixed with toxic solvents, coated onto foil, and baked in massive industrial ovens.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 30 Sep. 2026
Instead of bending one solid piece, the wood is cut into thin strips, coated with adhesive, stacked back together, and pressed against a curved mold.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of coat

Verb

Watching left-wing media try to discredit Caitlin Clark and her dedicated fan base has been a tale as old as her rookie season.

— Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2026
The arrival of Dutch elm disease not only ravaged these green spaces, but discredited the whole goal of aiming for such uniformity.

— Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of discredit

Noun

Initial rumors were fueled by local innuendo and supported by records aligning Hemings’ pregnancies with Jefferson’s presence at his plantation home of Monticello in Virginia.

— Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2026
The innuendo only encouraged the bidding — and the riding jokes — with two guests ultimately taking the experience at $120,000 each.

— Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of innuendo

Noun

Clean regularly because frequent care keeps stainless steel bright and reduces smudges.

— Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 28 Sep. 2026
Freshen Stainless Steel Coconut oil can be a great product for cleaning stainless steel, says home and pool expert Jeremy Yamaguchi, CEO of Cabana—specifically to remove fingerprints and smudges.

— Emily Hayes, Martha Stewart, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of smudge

Browse Nearby Words

smatters

smear

smeared

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Cite this Entry

Style

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

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Synonyms of smear

verb

noun

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