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
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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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of smears
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
Verb
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smears
Verb
-
The experience paints a fitting portrait of how Boston has evolved around these landmarks, which have become a part of everyday life.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
-
Allegedly, Buckingham Palace leaned on the press to downplay the severity of the king’s illness last year, which paints a picture of a monarch who’s much sicker than people want to believe.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
Believing our conduct improper, the villagers began to make insinuations.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 May 2026
-
But whatever one thinks of Massie’s anti-Israel activism and anti-Jewish insinuations, neither was the reason he was excised.—
Yair Rosenberg,
The Atlantic,
20 May 2026
Noun
-
Seal grout lines once or twice a year to protect against moisture, dirt, and stains, reducing future cleaning efforts.—
Jamie Cuccinelli,
Martha Stewart,
10 June 2026
-
There's just big coffee mugs with old stains and locals in flannel shirts talking about the day.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
Then there’s the gorgeous pink dust that lightly coats each chip.—
Alaina Chou,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
3 June 2026
-
The palate showcases roasted agave, lemon peel, white pepper, and spices, all riding on a firm, oily texture that coats the mouth.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
Noun
-
Amid aspersions and attack ads, the pair nearly came to blows at a community debate.—
Dakota Smith,
Los Angeles Times,
11 May 2026
-
Not Calvin Klein casting gay aspersions!—
Emma Specter,
Vogue,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The headphones didn’t feel noticeably heavier than their predecessor during our extended test run and were less prone to fingerprints and smudges.—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
19 May 2026
-
Then gently rub off smudges and fingerprints with a circular motion.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
In a city that continually anoints anoints new noteworthies in the hospitality space, The Connaught remains one of London’s long-lasting greats.—
Katharine Sohn,
Architectural Digest,
20 Mar. 2026
-
The episode officially anoints a new captain for the 118 — and sees Harry considering a life fighting fires.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
14 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
One of the few blots on last summer’s Leeds copybook.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
26 May 2026
-
The songs spread outward from Morris’ small voice like paper towel blots.—
Jayson Greene,
Pitchfork,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Smears.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smears. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
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