as in defamation
the making of false statements that damage another's reputation
this smearing has got to stop, or the voters will conclude that there's absolutely no one worth voting for
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in coating
to rub an oily or sticky substance over
the toddler gleefully smeared her hair and face with maple syrup
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in libeling
to make untrue and harmful statements about
he is willing to smear his opponent if doing so would win the election
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of smearing
PC Magazine, 30 Sep. 2025
If the smearing continues, look for a position elsewhere.
—Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 10 Sep. 2025
Sacbee.com, 6 Mar. 2026
When smearing peanut butter on bread, the robot watches the knife deflect down and crush the bread and judges forces from that.
—Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 2 Mar. 2026
Instead of unsuccessfully trying to wipe off the dust buildup that has turned sticky with a damp cloth and only smearing it around, Goo Gone breaks down the tacky oils for complete and effortless removal.
—Maria Sabella, The Spruce, 25 Feb. 2026
This dedication centers Sophie and Benedict’s second meet-cute, when the two cross paths at a country house where Benedict is attending a party and where Sophie is now working, after being unable to find a position in London thanks to her stepmother smearing her reputation.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2026
This will lead to smearing dust particles around instead of picking them up, which is where a wet cloth comes into play.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 18 Jan. 2026
The vacuum cleaner has powerful suction, 8,000 Pa, and the mop cleans without sloshing and smearing water on the floor.
—Terri Williams, Architectural Digest, 6 Jan. 2026
Despite the controversy, most Glamour staffers can recall smearing on play makeup or stealing mommy’s moisturizer.
—Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 13 Nov. 2025
So actually, smearing their voices together and then doing other stuff in the computer made the perfect voice.
—Adam B. Vary, Variety, 10 Nov. 2025
Noun
Black inks for the same printers tend to have less obvious smearing than the color ink, and many smear just enough to see a smudge, without harming readability.
—PC Magazine, 30 Sep. 2025
If the smearing continues, look for a position elsewhere.
—Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
Anderson has countersued and accused Burkle of smearing his reputation amid a separate business dispute.
—Sacbee.com, 6 Mar. 2026
When smearing peanut butter on bread, the robot watches the knife deflect down and crush the bread and judges forces from that.
—Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 2 Mar. 2026
Instead of unsuccessfully trying to wipe off the dust buildup that has turned sticky with a damp cloth and only smearing it around, Goo Gone breaks down the tacky oils for complete and effortless removal.
—Maria Sabella, The Spruce, 25 Feb. 2026
This dedication centers Sophie and Benedict’s second meet-cute, when the two cross paths at a country house where Benedict is attending a party and where Sophie is now working, after being unable to find a position in London thanks to her stepmother smearing her reputation.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2026
This will lead to smearing dust particles around instead of picking them up, which is where a wet cloth comes into play.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 18 Jan. 2026
The vacuum cleaner has powerful suction, 8,000 Pa, and the mop cleans without sloshing and smearing water on the floor.
—Terri Williams, Architectural Digest, 6 Jan. 2026
Despite the controversy, most Glamour staffers can recall smearing on play makeup or stealing mommy’s moisturizer.
—Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 13 Nov. 2025
So actually, smearing their voices together and then doing other stuff in the computer made the perfect voice.
—Adam B. Vary, Variety, 10 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smearing
Noun
-
The president, or his companies, has also sued Capital One over debanking claims; media outlets over alleged defamation; and even the IRS over the leak of his tax information.—
Hugh Son,
CNBC,
2 Mar. 2026
-
But the jury found Greenpeace USA liable on all counts, including defamation, conspiracy, trespass, nuisance and tortious interference.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The sauce hit that comforting sweet spot of salty and gooey, coating each noodle with a subtle nutty note that blander versions lacked.—
Sam Stone,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Add 1 tablespoon of the remaining olive oil to the bowl and stir in the carrots, coating them well.—
Mary Ann Esposito,
Boston Herald,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The company accused Moore of libel.—
Drake Bentley,
jsonline.com,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Sugar libel was snipped from both bills.—
Pat Beall,
Sun Sentinel,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Broadcom on Wednesday delivered a solid quarterly results while painting an increasingly upbeat picture around the future of its custom AI chip business.—
Zev Fima,
CNBC,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Lisseth remembers how the young woman loved painting the intricate, colorful geometric patterns of traditional mandalas.—
Gabrielle Emanuel,
NPR,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Shocking lies Within hours, the administration was slandering her.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
17 Jan. 2026
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And then the media was slandering our dad’s name and reputation after a lifetime of being a fairly wholesome guy.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
31 Dec. 2025
Verb
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But there is a distinction, Kutwala said, between flying flags from one’s own property and daubing paint across the town.—
Olivia Kemp,
CNN Money,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Angel went for a respectful middle-of-the-road jab — complimenting her parenting and resilience, but maligning her for being petty.—
Shamira Ibrahim,
Vulture,
5 Jan. 2026
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Defense attorneys have also decried violations of fair-trial rights, saying that the prosecutor in the cases has sought to influence the jury pool by maligning those charged.—
LAUREN CARASIK,
Foreign Affairs,
22 Feb. 2017
Verb
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The Signature Round Deep Oven offers plenty of features that justify the investment, like its easy-to-clean enamel that resists chipping, dulling, and staining, a tight-fitting lid that helps circulate steam, and an ergonomic knob for effortless lifting.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
27 Feb. 2026
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For a softer take, Kulfi Beauty’s lip staining oil in Caramel adds a warm nude sheen that feels both effortless and seasonally appropriate.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
26 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Smearing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smearing. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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