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
Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 21 May 2025
The protests were meant to provoke a response; the obsessive smearing signals that the disruption is doing its work.
—Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 17 May 2025
Naperville Sun, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2025
For women, these include cervical smears, commonly known as pap smears, in which healthcare practitioners vaginally insert a clamp-like tool called a speculum and then use a swab to extract cells from the cervix.
—Cat Wang, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for smear
Verb
Simply adjust the cooking time as needed, and when rubbing the marinade on skin-on chicken, be sure to smear some of the marinade between the skin and flesh.
—Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 21 May 2025
The protests were meant to provoke a response; the obsessive smearing signals that the disruption is doing its work.
—Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 17 May 2025
Noun
This vile smear wrongly demonizes advocates like me and trivializes the Holocaust, chilling free expression.
—Naperville Sun, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2025
For women, these include cervical smears, commonly known as pap smears, in which healthcare practitioners vaginally insert a clamp-like tool called a speculum and then use a swab to extract cells from the cervix.
—Cat Wang, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for smear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smear
Verb
-
Across Florida and throughout the United States, a dangerous narrative is gaining ground, one that paints immigrants as threats, strangers and scapegoats for every social and economic ill.—
Maria Revelles,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 June 2025
-
The list, which was introduced in 2020, blends both sales and streaming data to paint a picture of what humanity is listening to.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2025
Verb
-
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
-
The counter lawsuit from Robinson and his wife accuses the Jane Does and their attorneys of slander, intentional infliction of emotional distress and financial elder abuse, according to Variety.—
David Matthews,
New York Daily News,
28 May 2025
-
Even casual comments can be spread on social media and misunderstood, or even lead to slander.—
Billboard Japan,
Billboard,
15 May 2025
Noun
-
Most food stains can be cleaned with dish detergent and water.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
14 June 2025
-
Unfortunately, both alcohol and peroxide can irritate gums and cause gum sensitivity—this formulation uses a combination of natural enzymes and gentle oxidizers to lift surface stains on the teeth and prevent new ones from forming.—
Daley Quinn,
Glamour,
11 June 2025
Verb
-
Add 1/2 cup of warm dressing and toss to coat the ingredients evenly.—
Philip Potempa,
Chicago Tribune,
20 June 2025
-
Sear in a hot pan coated in a thin layer of oil until the meat is browned to your liking.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 June 2025
Verb
-
Terrible policy Perhaps Gabbard is sounding the alarm to discredit efforts — including a sanctions bill held up in Congress pending a green light from Trump — to pressure Putin into a meaningful negotiation on ending his war.—
Marc Champion,
Mercury News,
13 June 2025
-
The irony is that the FTC is blind to the meaning of such substantial investment from Amazon, the very investment that thoroughly discredits the FTC’s case.—
John Tamny,
Forbes.com,
9 June 2025
Noun
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Leave it to Strangers With Candy’s Colbert to find and exploit every innuendo one stumbles upon whilst cooking a roast.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
7 Feb. 2025
-
To the relief of everybody, weeks of rumors/subterfuge/smokescreens/innuendo come to a merciful end.—
Jim Reineking,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
For tougher smudges, slightly dampen the cloth with 70% isopropyl alcohol.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
30 May 2025
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Smear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smear. Accessed 27 Jun. 2025.
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