Synonyms of smears

smears 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of smear

1

as in paints

to rub an oily or sticky substance over

the toddler gleefully smeared her hair and face with maple syrup

Synonyms & Similar Words

• paints
• coats
• stains
• daubs
• anoints
• besmears
• plasters
• smudges
• bedaubs
• greases
• oils
• dirties
• tars
• besmirches
• soils
• sullies
• blackens
• mucks
• lards
• mires
• gums
• befouls
• smirches
• muddies
• fouls
• pitches
• grimes
• gaums
• begrimes
• bemires

2

as in libels

to make untrue and harmful statements about

he is willing to smear his opponent if doing so would win the election

Synonyms & Similar Words

• libels
• slanders
• disgraces
• discredits
• humiliates
• maligns
• defames
• vilifies
• blackens
• detracts
• denigrates
• shames
• calumniates
• disparages
• traduces
• asperses
• belittles
• dishonors
• disdains
• degrades
• humbles
• scorns
• debases
• abases

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• praises
• exalts
• honors
• applauds
• commends
• glorifies
• respects
• admires
• regards
• esteems
• acclaims
• adores
• worships
• reveres
• venerates

smears

2 of 2

noun

plural of smear

1

as in slanders

Related Words

• slanders
• libels
• insinuations
• aspersions
• insults
• imputations
• innuendos
• slurs
• digs
• epithets
• indignities
• affronts
• slights
• intimations
• suggestions
• hints
• inklings

2

as in stains

Related Words

• stains
• smudges
• blots
• spots
• frights
• eyesores
• horrors
• sights
• eye-catchers
• messes
• monstrosities
• hideosities

Dissimilar Words

• visions

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of smears

Verb

Offshore dollar savings and onshore settlement demand are diverging, and the supply chart smears the two together. — Zennon Kapron, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026

In other words, the show is a celebration of America’s 250th birthday, but one that smears a little cake on the country’s face. — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 27 June 2026

This chilling, starkly beautiful ambient piece draws Nebraska’s marginal whispers to the forefront and smears them across the picture plane. — Sasha Geffen, Pitchfork, 10 Mar. 2026

The five pieces offer, in turn, biomorphic hints of de Kooning, the ragged shapes of Clyfford Still, the bold geometries of Ellsworth Kelly, the paint smears of Gerhard Richter, and something that looks like toothpaste squeezed onto an orange peel. — Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2025

Teachers Union leader Randi Weingarten smears Trump voters as fascists! — The Hill, 1 Oct. 2025