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
Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 18 Jan. 2026
León was clothed, his garments smeared with Rivera’s blood.
—Mattha Busby, Rolling Stone, 16 Jan. 2026
Dominic Patten, Deadline, 19 Dec. 2025
There was -- blood smear on the wall.
—Gail Zimmerman, CBS News, 16 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smear
Verb
This will lead to smearing dust particles around instead of picking them up, which is where a wet cloth comes into play.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 18 Jan. 2026
León was clothed, his garments smeared with Rivera’s blood.
—Mattha Busby, Rolling Stone, 16 Jan. 2026
Noun
On the flip, Baldoni and crew also seem intent in getting their day in court to disprove the actress’ allegations of misconduct during the production of the Sony distributed IEWU, and a preemptive online smear campaign that followed.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 19 Dec. 2025
There was -- blood smear on the wall.
—Gail Zimmerman, CBS News, 16 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smear
Verb
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The movie plunks us down at Mar-a-Lago, where Melania struts out the door and into the back of an SUV, which will take her to the red-white-and-blue private plane painted with the word TRUMP that’s waiting for her at the airport.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The same brush painted the bleak picture for both schools.—
David Eckert,
Austin American Statesman,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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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
-
Weinberg denied the allegations and sued both women for libel and slander.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The administration’s automatic lies about the killings and slander of the victims are less a cover-up of facts than a display of utter contempt for them.—
George Packer,
The Atlantic,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
How much of a stain should that be for a quarterback playing a team game?—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
28 Jan. 2026
-
King says the technology can only be used with a ceramic material that's heat-resistant, scratch-resistant, and stain-resistant, like Cosentino's Dekton line.—
Helena Madden,
Martha Stewart,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Icing sugar coats the outside of each tiny treat, which comes packaged in a tiny pink gift bag.—
Angela Hansberger,
AJC.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
This is done by coating both sides of the glass with a special type of film.—
Natalia Sánchez Loayza,
Scientific American,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Supporters of Pahlavi were particularly vocal in Mashhad this month, as attested by the prevalence of pro-monarchy graffiti on city walls, and the regime’s propaganda devoted particular attention to discrediting the former crown prince.—
Davood Moradian,
The Atlantic,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Mayers said one lawful action should not be used to discredit another lawful action.—
Steve Karnowski,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
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
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But in many ways, the plot comes second to the silly jokes, innuendos, and songs.—
Robbie Griffiths,
NPR,
27 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Wiping unsightly white smudges on your clothes with a sheet easily solves this wardrobe malfunction.—
Meghan Overdeep,
Southern Living,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Also on both sides, and in a few places barely visible as smudges, is the star map.—
Ethan Baron,
Mercury News,
24 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Smear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smear. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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