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
Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2026
There aren’t biscuits on the table, but a buttery cathead-sized Milk Boule to pull apart and smear in the accompanying savory tomato-miso butter.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 9 Apr. 2026
Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026
One was topped with tender steak tartare, while another conveyed a briny white anchovy on a smear of aioli.
—Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for smear
Verb
During one rant against cancel culture and its pernicious tendency to smear the innocent, Tillman brings up Joseph McCarthy as a prime example of a person whose reputation was unfairly destroyed.
—Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2026
There aren’t biscuits on the table, but a buttery cathead-sized Milk Boule to pull apart and smear in the accompanying savory tomato-miso butter.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 9 Apr. 2026
Noun
According to Post-Tribune archives, Nelson Deuitch believes the Local 150’s claims are political theater and a smear campaign against the data center that has falsely blamed local government.
—Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026
One was topped with tender steak tartare, while another conveyed a briny white anchovy on a smear of aioli.
—Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for smear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smear
Verb
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Stojka came to painting decades later, in her mid-fifties, with the mission of depicting life in the concentration camps.—
Ben Davis,
The New York Review of Books,
25 Apr. 2026
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Kennealy, despite a long history in the Baker administration, has tried to paint himself as independent of the popular former governor.—
Joe Battenfeld,
Boston Herald,
25 Apr. 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
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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
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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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How to Spot Clean a Puffer Jacket No matter what your puffer is filled with, spot cleaning is a safe and easy way to refresh it and is ideal for small stains.—
Katie Cloyd,
Martha Stewart,
22 Apr. 2026
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Besides adding fresh flavor to seafood and classic cocktails, powering bathroom scouring, and removing stains, lemon peels can also benefit your plants.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Glass tubes coated with copper-oxide catalysts feed the methane gas needed for the reaction.—
Ameya Paleja,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Apr. 2026
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Hydrophobic soil is particularly problematic after a wildfire when soil particles become coated with waxy substances as organic matter decomposes.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Robert Brulle, a visiting professor at Brown University who studies fossil fuel lobbying, said ExxonMobil led efforts to discredit climate science that successfully impeded government intervention.—
Alex Kuffner,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
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New science and forensics have since discredited the expert’s conclusion, prompting Gurley to throw out the convictions and order a new trial.—
Shelly Bradbury,
Denver Post,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
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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
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The comedy often leans on innuendo, turning the pickle into a stand-in for something risqué.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Glass patio doors are one of the best features a home can have — until they’re covered in smudges, water spots and a thin film of grime that makes the outdoors look overcast even on a sunny day.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
27 Apr. 2026
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Sunlight reveals streaks and smudges that are invisible under indoor lighting, so step outside or look at the glass from the patio side before calling the job done.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Sacbee.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Smear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smear. Accessed 29 Apr. 2026.
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