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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of smudge
Literary Hub,
11 May 2026
The gel formula swipes onto the lids without any skipping or tugging, giving you ample time to smudge, sculpt, or sharpen the line before the brand’s patented PermaLock Technology sets it into a waterproof, transfer-proof, and smudge-proof finish.
—
Jailynn Taylor,
Allure,
10 May 2026
Corein Carter,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2026
The hit was a small smudge on Bruins ace Taylor Tinsley’s line, finishing with two strikeouts and three hits across the five innings.
—
Liana Handler,
Los Angeles Times,
23 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for smudge
Verb
From the estuary of the River Plate, the city looks mysterious, almost smudged, its lines seeming less refined than those of Paris but more modern than Warsaw’s.
—
Literary Hub,
11 May 2026
The gel formula swipes onto the lids without any skipping or tugging, giving you ample time to smudge, sculpt, or sharpen the line before the brand’s patented PermaLock Technology sets it into a waterproof, transfer-proof, and smudge-proof finish.
—
Jailynn Taylor,
Allure,
10 May 2026
Noun
The formula is transfer-resistant, waterproof and smudge-resistant, helping makeup maintain its appearance through long days.
—
Corein Carter,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2026
The hit was a small smudge on Bruins ace Taylor Tinsley’s line, finishing with two strikeouts and three hits across the five innings.
—
Liana Handler,
Los Angeles Times,
23 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for smudge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smudge
Verb
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Prosecutors said a boxcutter stained with what appeared to be blood was found in the car, and there were also possible bloodstains found on the steering wheel and exterior door.
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At the site, an Associated Press reporter saw rubble and chunks of concrete stained with blood.
Noun
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The prosecutor’s subjective good faith does not cure the retaliatory taint.
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The good news is that the gala survived its Bezos taint.
Verb
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But as filming continued, Pidgeon appeared to dirty her butter blond with caramel and chocolate shades similar to Bessette-Kennedy’s, thanks to stylist Kari Hill.
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With the help of your Instant Pot, spaghetti and meatballs come together in under an hour without dirtying multiple dishes.
Noun
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Dabbing the cloth in rubbing alcohol, working away the dirty blots on the glass, waiting for the haze in my head to focus, and a new line to come to me.
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Allow the garment to soak for 2 to 3 minutes, then remove it from the detergent solution and blot with a white paper towel or cloth.
Verb
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Leaves and buds that are bitten by frost will blacken and shrivel, sometimes all over the plant.
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The shrimp basket at B&J's Steak and Seafood includes a half pound of shrimp fried, grilled, blackened or boiled.
Cite this Entry
“Smudge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smudge. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
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