smudge 1 of 2

verb

ˈsməj How to pronounce smudge (audio)
Definition of smudgenext
as in to stain
to make dirty she accidentally smudged her collar with the lipstick

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

smudge

2 of 2

noun

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 show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of smudge
Verb
Here’s how to reapply sunscreen over foundation without smudging your look. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson july 2, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026 In my opinion, a good mascara doesn’t smudge, adds length and volume to my lashes, and shouldn't cost more than $20. — Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 25 June 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
  1. stain
  2. taint
  3. dirty
  4. blot
  5. blacken
Verb
  • The only part of her person not stained are the white circles around her eyes.
    — Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 13 July 2026
  • Drinking water after coffee can help reduce acidity and wash away staining compounds.
    — Sarah Jividen, Verywell Health, 10 July 2026
Definition of stain
Noun
  • The prosecutor’s subjective good faith does not cure the retaliatory taint.
    — Antonio Pequeño IV, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
  • There’s a purity here, the course free from the taint of bureaucracy governing so much of the academy.
    — Peter Wayne Moe, Longreads, 26 Mar. 2026
Definition of taint
Verb
  • Satisfy your lasagna craving without dirtying up a pile of dishes.
    — Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 9 July 2026
  • The zipper shoe compartment keeps your shoes from dirtying up your clothing, and the massive interior can hold many outfits for your weekend getaway.
    — Olivia Dubyak, Travel + Leisure, 9 Mar. 2026
Definition of dirty
Noun
  • The only blot on an otherwise solid opening week for the World Cup expansion loyalists.
    — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 5 July 2026
  • Let the cleaner sit for 15 minutes and blot the excess, or cover it with a damp cloth and leave it for up to 24 hours for heavily soiled or old, set-in spots.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 26 June 2026
Definition of blot
Verb
  • Check monthly for signs of shriveling (add moisture), blackening or softening (discard).
    — Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2026
  • Many of them, like Tubbs, were refugee Midwesterners, sick of parching droughts and devouring plagues of locusts, the insects descending in buzzing clouds thick enough to blacken the noonday sun.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 July 2026
Definition of blacken

Browse Nearby Words

smothers
smudge
smudged
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Smudge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smudge. Accessed 16 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on smudge

Nglish: Translation of smudge for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of bibelot

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
child-detective
Spot the Misspelled Word July 2026 Those little red underlines can't help you now...
See All