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
1
as in slander
Related Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of smear
Jordan Rau, Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2026
Many told me the liberal media had smeared them as racists, xenophobes and misogynists.
—Nataliya Gumenyuk, The Dial, 21 Apr. 2026
Erin Vanderhoof, Vanity Fair, 29 Apr. 2026
For the past four years, the reality star and business owner has received abnormal Pap smear results, showing precancerous cells.
—Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for smear
Verb
Greenhaven had racked up years of health violations, including from letting untrained workers administer medications, lacking enough employees to care for people with dementia, and neglecting a resident who smeared feces over his body, bed, floor, and bathroom, the notice said.
—Jordan Rau, Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2026
Many told me the liberal media had smeared them as racists, xenophobes and misogynists.
—Nataliya Gumenyuk, The Dial, 21 Apr. 2026
Noun
The list of substances Peters and his cohort ingest, inject, and smear on themselves is long and evergrowing, despite the very real risks that come along with them.
—Erin Vanderhoof, Vanity Fair, 29 Apr. 2026
For the past four years, the reality star and business owner has received abnormal Pap smear results, showing precancerous cells.
—Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for smear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smear
Verb
-
During their testimonies, Prasad and Patlola painted very different pictures of the terms of their lease agreement.—
Lisa Schencker,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
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For Labour leader and current Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the heavy losses on city councils across England, even with votes still being counted in Scotland and Wales, paint a bruising picture.—
Inaya Folarin Iman,
CBS News,
8 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
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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
-
But that wasn’t the only Scheshu slander on Vanderpump Villa season 3.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
19 Apr. 2026
-
This narrative that has been created, that image that anyone who speaks against a revolution is thrown into jail, that’s a big lie, that’s a slander, and that’s part of that construct, in order to vilify and to engage a character assassination of the Cuban Revolution.—
NBC news,
NBC news,
12 Apr. 2026
Noun
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By that time, an EPA panel had determined the type of stain-resistant chemicals used by carpet manufacturers were likely carcinogenic.—
DYLAN JACKSON,
ABC News,
6 May 2026
-
Photos showed large, blue stains on the counter and floor, indicating blood had been cleaned from those areas.—
Evy Lewis,
Chicago Tribune,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
In large bowl, toss together peaches, blueberries, sugar and flour until fruit is well coated; set aside.—
Judy Bart Kancigor,
Oc Register,
7 May 2026
-
For the spicy tuna, masago clings to thick, buttery pieces of tuna coated in Sriracha, mayonnaise and sesame oil.—
Stephanie Breijo,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
John paid a visit to his former lover and demanded that Percy sign an affidavit and confess to his involvement in the kidnapping, as well as discredit the allegations about John's sexuality.—
Julia Moore,
PEOPLE,
8 May 2026
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The case later drew attention from the Innocence Project, which said advances in DNA testing ultimately discredited the prosecution’s core forensic evidence.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
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
-
The comedy often leans on innuendo, turning the pickle into a stand-in for something risqué.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
31 Mar. 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
-
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 13 May. 2026.
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