as in to stain
to make dirty
she accidentally smudged her collar with the lipstick
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in stain
a mark of guilt or disgrace
the president's spouse must not have the slightest smudge of scandal
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of smudge
PC Magazine, 12 Oct. 2025
Krasznahorkai eventually found a global cult audience, who recognized his distinct ability to cloak anomie, violence, and resignation, smudged with a kind of gutter comedy, within a labyrinthine syntax.
—Walt Hunter, The Atlantic, 9 Oct. 2025
Devon O’Neil, Outside, 15 Oct. 2025
That smudge is the Orion Nebula, which at a distance of just 1,500 light-years is one of the closest star-forming regions to Earth and makes for a beautiful target through binoculars or a 6-inch telescope.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smudge
Verb
The noise starts to cut into detail noticeably and smudge details at ISO 12800-25600, and results are blurry at ISO 51200-102400.
—PC Magazine, 12 Oct. 2025
Krasznahorkai eventually found a global cult audience, who recognized his distinct ability to cloak anomie, violence, and resignation, smudged with a kind of gutter comedy, within a labyrinthine syntax.
—Walt Hunter, The Atlantic, 9 Oct. 2025
Noun
Carl had dark, greasy smudges on his cheeks to avoid detection by his targets, and was dressed in a camouflage long-sleeve hoodie and beige pants.
—Devon O’Neil, Outside, 15 Oct. 2025
That smudge is the Orion Nebula, which at a distance of just 1,500 light-years is one of the closest star-forming regions to Earth and makes for a beautiful target through binoculars or a 6-inch telescope.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smudge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smudge
Verb
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Scorched and stained pots and pans almost always require scraping and scouring, and cast-iron skillets can rust when soaked.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
6 Nov. 2025
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Julia Fox's costume consisted of a pink suit stained with fake blood, meant to resemble the former first lady shortly after the assassination of her husband.—
Lauren Huff,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The film centered on the Environmental Protection Agency encasing the Simpsons’ hometown of Springfield in a dome after Homer taints the area’s water supply.—
Ryan Gajewski,
HollywoodReporter,
29 Sep. 2025
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Take care not to touch the glands, or your hands will carry their taint to the meat.—
Maurice H. Decker,
Outdoor Life,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The ashes from the crematorium chimney covered the streets, sooted the rain, dirtied the snow, damaged the crops, infected every body.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Oct. 2025
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At Dilara Findikoglu, models looked like ladies in waiting that had risen from the dead; wearing antiquated corsetry that was dirtied and torn.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
23 Sep. 2025
Noun
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After a few minutes, blot the area and wash the item by hand.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 Oct. 2025
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Mix 1 cup of baking soda with 2 cups of hydrogen peroxide and use a white cloth to apply it to the stain and blot gently.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The footage from drone cameras shows a large area of industrial Louisville charred and blackened from smoke and fire damage.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
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Skip any skins that look moldy, blackened, or spoiled.—
Cathy Cassata,
Health,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Smudge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smudge. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
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