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
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of smear
Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 2 May 2025
Just a man with a grudge using his television show to smear us instead of trying to understand us.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 28 Apr. 2025
Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 21 Apr. 2025
And anonymous smears from disgruntled former employees on old news doesn’t matter.
—Brett Samuels, The Hill, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smear
Verb
More than three dozen athletes have joined in a civil lawsuit against the DCI, alleging the agency had violated their rights and smeared their reputations.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 2 May 2025
Just a man with a grudge using his television show to smear us instead of trying to understand us.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 28 Apr. 2025
Noun
It was spray-painted over after a health department inspection, but the outline of the smear was still visible, Jennifer said.
—Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 21 Apr. 2025
And anonymous smears from disgruntled former employees on old news doesn’t matter.
—Brett Samuels, The Hill, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smear
Verb
-
Sleek, flat-panel cabinets (painted in Dylan by Portola Paints) contrast with the irregular zellige tile backsplash by Zia Tile.—
Lauren Bengtson,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 May 2025
-
The company blends sales and streaming data as well as total audience impressions at radio to paint a picture of which hard rock tracks are the most popular in the U.S.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
21 May 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
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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
-
The board did not elaborate on the content of the slander or say what the post and emails said.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
14 May 2025
-
The offended and outraged prince and his parliament took the Hunt brothers to court for slander and won.—
Emily Zarevich,
JSTOR Daily,
4 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Choose a bright, cheery yellow paint or opt for a deep chocolate stain with white window trim for a classic cabin vibe.—
Brittany VanDerBill,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 May 2025
-
Yves Saint Laurent Vinyl Cream Lip Stain $41 $30 Nordstrom Rack YSL's Vinyl Cream Lip Stain brings the staying power of a lip stain and the shine factor of a gloss.—
Annie Blackman,
Allure,
23 May 2025
Verb
-
Add oil: Choose an oil with a high smoke point, like vegetable, canola, or grapeseed oil, and swirl to coat the pan.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
15 May 2025
-
The component is then coated with a typical clear-coat finish after the deposition procedure.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
12 May 2025
Verb
-
The attempts to discredit women like Ventura discount the reality of their lives, Gee said.—
Lisa Respers France,
CNN Money,
13 May 2025
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But in a possible attempt to discredit Pryor, her name and some details of her confidential complaint, available only to the mayor, commissioners and senior city employees, have been circulated publicly.—
Steve Bousquet,
Sun Sentinel,
10 May 2025
Noun
-
To the relief of everybody, weeks of rumors/subterfuge/smokescreens/innuendo come to a merciful end.—
Jim Reineking,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2025
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The ironic bits and poignant moments rarely gel and a focus on redundant innuendos takes precedence over character development and a meaningful storyline.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Shop the best sweatproof mascaras Say goodbye to streaks, smears, and smudges with these mascaras that actually stay put.—
Sara Coughlin,
SELF,
23 Apr. 2025
-
After 30 to 60 seconds under a UV lamp, your manicure is smudge proof and long-wearing.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
9 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Smear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smear. Accessed 29 May. 2025.
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