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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of smear
Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
One blind resident, who had no way to call a caregiver for help, had to defecate repeatedly in a trash can, according to allegations made by the California Department of Social Services, which said the home had been smeared throughout with residue from human feces.
—Emily Alpert Reyes, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2025
Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Mar. 2025
Reagan was met with pushback from his era's media culture, but Trump and his supporters have endured a decade of smears and muzzles unlike any in American history.
—Mark Davis, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smear
Verb
Under Attack America’s new Red Scare has government, corporate and cultural forces targeting activists speaking out against the Israeli genocide in Gaza, smearing pro-Palestinian protestors as antisemitic.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
One blind resident, who had no way to call a caregiver for help, had to defecate repeatedly in a trash can, according to allegations made by the California Department of Social Services, which said the home had been smeared throughout with residue from human feces.
—Emily Alpert Reyes, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2025
Noun
To prevent scratches, spray Windex on a soft cloth, and gently rub the crystal item until dust and smears are removed.
—Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Mar. 2025
Reagan was met with pushback from his era's media culture, but Trump and his supporters have endured a decade of smears and muzzles unlike any in American history.
—Mark Davis, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smear
Verb
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The numbers paint a generally positive outlook that, according to these forecasters, should allow the nation to narrowly dodge a slump.—
Paul Davidson,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2025
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That’s the picture painted by eyewitnesses who have described a terrifying ordeal whereby 39-year-old Gregory Rossignon fired shots outside his girlfriend’s home, threatened to kill people, and fatally shot Raouf, a clerk at an E-Z Stop on Power Avenue in Pittsburg, outside the store.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
28 Apr. 2025
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
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There have been other quarterbacks with true issues that haven’t been subjected to this sort of pre-draft slander.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
25 Apr. 2025
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The plaintiff is suing for libel, slander, intentional infliction of emotional distress, invasion of privacy, portraying him in a false light and negligence.—
Sarah Fortinsky,
The Hill,
26 Feb. 2025
Noun
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While any first-round loss is a stain on the Lakers’ legacy, at least this loss comes with hope.—
Bill Plaschke,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2025
-
Although it’s made from a cushy fabric, the rug won’t hold stains and just needs to be spot-cleaned with soap and water.—
Christopher Murray
may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom.,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
It’s entirely made of cotton that has been coated with polyvinyl to create a sturdy material with the look of pebbled leather, which is as water-resistant and stain-repellent as hide.—
Miles Walls,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 Apr. 2025
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Gently coat the mascara on your lashes and wait about 30 seconds before wearing a second coat.—
Celeste Polanco,
Essence,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Biden’s actions continue to discredit the legitimacy of our judicial system.—
Carl Burdette,
Baltimore Sun,
21 Apr. 2025
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The current page suggests this paper's explicit intention was to discredit the lab leak theory and remove any doubt that the origins were of natural origin.—
Youri Benadjaoud,
ABC News,
18 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Since her husband’s victory, Stoll has been the subject of gossip, innuendo, and outright hate in the media and online.—
Stephanie McNeal,
Glamour,
17 Apr. 2025
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What makes the experience of grinding through all 900-plus pages is the way the author weaves together rumor, history, innuendo, mystery, outrage, heartache and ecstasy.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Just before the moon begins to enter the Earth's dark umbral shadow, the penumbra should appear as an obvious smudge or tarnishing of the moon's left portion.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
9 Mar. 2025
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How to Deep Clean the Exterior of a Slow Cooker To clean the exterior of a slow cooker, use a damp microfiber cloth and a pea-sized drop of dish soap to wipe away stuck-on food, drips, or smudges.—
Jolie Kerr,
Better Homes & Gardens,
18 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Smear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smear. Accessed 5 May. 2025.
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