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
Staff Author, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026
To be sure, much of the criticism originated from a local blog that was simply looking to smear Tubbs with exaggerated claims.
—Rafael Perez, Oc Register, 23 Apr. 2026
Michael R. Sisak, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2026
The arrests have exposed a rift in the Iranian American community, which has grown increasingly polarized in recent years, leading to online smear campaigns and at times violence.
—Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for smear
Verb
Later on, Firecracker was tasked with addressing her church's destruction on television and smeared their reputation, betraying her former life and beliefs.
—Staff Author, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026
To be sure, much of the criticism originated from a local blog that was simply looking to smear Tubbs with exaggerated claims.
—Rafael Perez, Oc Register, 23 Apr. 2026
Noun
Baldoni, who directed the film and starred in it with Lively, had denied harassing her or orchestrating a smear campaign.
—Michael R. Sisak, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2026
The arrests have exposed a rift in the Iranian American community, which has grown increasingly polarized in recent years, leading to online smear campaigns and at times violence.
—Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for smear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smear
Verb
-
Israel prohibits many construction materials from entering Gaza, so the structure was created by welding sheets of metal together and painting them white.—
Clayton Dalton,
New Yorker,
15 May 2026
-
Or is Williamson, facing sentencing, just trying to paint herself in a sympathetic light?—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 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
-
And always these massacres were preceded by vilification, by slanders.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 May 2026
-
But that wasn’t the only Scheshu slander on Vanderpump Villa season 3.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
There are so many different stain colors on the market.—
Tessa Cooper,
The Spruce,
13 May 2026
-
Will homemade detergent work on tough stains?—
Ryan Brennan
May 13,
Miami Herald,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
This gel-like substance coats your gut and binds to cholesterol, preventing it from entering your bloodstream.—
Colleen Doherty,
Verywell Health,
14 May 2026
-
Certain mascaras, foundations and dental flosses also use PFAS as texture or coating agents.—
Allison Palmer,
Miami Herald,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Do these circumstances discredit the Braves’ wins?—
Gabriel Burns,
AJC.com,
15 May 2026
-
What was unusual was the weaponization of the lack of forensic evidence to discredit the allegations.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
Upon learning of Rodger’s administrative leave, speculation, rumor and innuendo grew in Ramona.—
Dan Summers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 May 2026
-
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
Noun
-
The gel formula swipes onto the lids without any skipping or tugging, giving you ample time to smudge, sculpt, or sharpen the line before the brand’s patented PermaLock Technology sets it into a waterproof, transfer-proof, and smudge-proof finish.—
Jailynn Taylor,
Allure,
10 May 2026
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There is nothing worse than sitting down to watch a television show or movie, only to realize there are smudges on your flat-screen TV.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
5 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Smear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smear. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
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