1
as in painted
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 libeled
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of smeared
The high-frequency detail that was already fading from atmospheric absorption got smeared further.
—
Yook Jihun, Popular Science, 26 Mar. 2026
Grainy mustard smeared on a chunk of corned beef is delicious too.
—Tribune Content Agency, Baltimore Sun, 4 Mar. 2026
Cops called to the scene found blood smeared on the stairwell from the third floor to the second, and more blood smeared on the walls in the second-floor hallway.
—Rebecca White, New York Daily News, 28 Feb. 2026
Snack on apple slices smeared with nut butter.
—Jillian Kubala, Health, 26 Feb. 2026
Why are my windows still smeared after cleaning?
—Sharon Brandwein, USA Today, 24 Feb. 2026
Investigators found blood on a windowsill outside the first-floor condo and more blood smeared on the walls and windows, the DA's office said.
—Tom Ignudo, CBS News, 18 Feb. 2026
And he has absolutely been falsely called and smeared as a racist.
—ABC News, 18 Feb. 2026
Robert Pattinson is unrecognizable with a long blonde hair transformation and lipstick smeared all over his face in a new photoshoot.
—Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 17 Feb. 2026
Yook Jihun, Popular Science, 26 Mar. 2026
Grainy mustard smeared on a chunk of corned beef is delicious too.
—Tribune Content Agency, Baltimore Sun, 4 Mar. 2026
Cops called to the scene found blood smeared on the stairwell from the third floor to the second, and more blood smeared on the walls in the second-floor hallway.
—Rebecca White, New York Daily News, 28 Feb. 2026
Snack on apple slices smeared with nut butter.
—Jillian Kubala, Health, 26 Feb. 2026
Why are my windows still smeared after cleaning?
—Sharon Brandwein, USA Today, 24 Feb. 2026
Investigators found blood on a windowsill outside the first-floor condo and more blood smeared on the walls and windows, the DA's office said.
—Tom Ignudo, CBS News, 18 Feb. 2026
And he has absolutely been falsely called and smeared as a racist.
—ABC News, 18 Feb. 2026
Robert Pattinson is unrecognizable with a long blonde hair transformation and lipstick smeared all over his face in a new photoshoot.
—Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 17 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smeared
Verb
-
Still more come from artists, hopeful to be included the next time the lot gets painted.—
Amy Drew Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 Mar. 2026
-
This game painted a fuller picture of who Lorenzen is.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The formula is richer than a typical lotion thanks to shea butter, but it’s designed to absorb gradually overnight rather than leaving skin feeling coated.—
Hana Hong,
Glamour,
25 Mar. 2026
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The shrimp were tender with a little char, coated in a garlic chili glaze that added a mild kick without being overwhelming.—
Evan Moore,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
At one point in his teenage years, Diaz was publicly humiliated by the football team who forcefully shaved his curly hair.—
Andrea Flores,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Walz and Ellison were humiliated and could not account for their blundering.—
Joe Soucheray,
Twin Cities,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Place de la République in Paris was daubed in swastikas and anti-Semitic slogans last Sunday after a neo-Nazi rally, and offices of France Unbowed have been attacked.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
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Ryvchin, whose former home was daubed with antisemitic language and cars were set alight earlier this year, said both Australia’s federal government and provincial leaders in the state of New South Wales had failed to act on proposals to curb antisemitic violence.—
Katie Silver,
NBC news,
25 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Some of the humor was mildly edgy, including jokes about pedophiles, the Epstein files and disgraced royal Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Radcliffe plays Arthur, a documentary filmmaker hired by Morgan’s disgraced former football player, Reggie, to make a The Last Dance–style documentary and facilitate Reggie’s comeback.—
Eliana Dockterman,
Time,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Now, the ultimate question of whether Walters slandered Miller will return to the district court.—
Dale Denwalt,
Oklahoman,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Jerry Jones slandered my name to Cowboys media and national media for months.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
1 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Before and after taking charge of HHS, Kennedy called the CDC corrupt and maligned its officials as beholden to pharmaceutical companies.—
Tom Bartlett,
The Atlantic,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Some of the top American stars, such as Aaron Judge and Bryce Harper, have been maligned for their inability to win the big game.—
Johnny Flores Jr,
New York Times,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Phillipe’s teeth were often as wine-stained as his customers’.—
Sammy Loren,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Mar. 2026
-
His hands were stained navy blue.—
Christopher Borrelli,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Smeared.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smeared. Accessed 29 Mar. 2026.
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