as in stains
a mark of guilt or disgrace
the president's spouse must not have the slightest smudge of scandal
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in blackens
to make dirty
she accidentally smudged her collar with the lipstick
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of smudges
Deanna Pai,
Glamour,
6 June 2026
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
For the British Crown, such frontiers were smudges on the edge of the map.
—
Daniel Immerwahr,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
That extra step helps remove streaks, smudges, and dullness, especially on surfaces that catch the light.
—
Colleen Sullivan,
Martha Stewart,
2 May 2026
Glass patio doors are one of the best features a home can have — until they’re covered in smudges, water spots and a thin film of grime that makes the outdoors look overcast even on a sunny day.
—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
27 Apr. 2026
Sunlight reveals streaks and smudges that are invisible under indoor lighting, so step outside or look at the glass from the patio side before calling the job done.
—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Sacbee.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Some of her hair is clipped on top, while some messy bangs fall forward over her eyes, which visibly have makeup smudges under them.
—
Marci Robin,
Allure,
24 Apr. 2026
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Jan. 2026
Dim sunlight smudges skies for only a few hours in the depth of winter.
—
Tom Vanden Brook,
USA Today,
13 Aug. 2025
But the writer-director smudges the lines separating an ancient evil from a sordid but disappointingly non-supernatural crime.
—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Sep. 2019
Noun
This will help buff it in and prevent streaks and smudges.
—
Deanna Pai,
Glamour,
6 June 2026
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
For the British Crown, such frontiers were smudges on the edge of the map.
—
Daniel Immerwahr,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
That extra step helps remove streaks, smudges, and dullness, especially on surfaces that catch the light.
—
Colleen Sullivan,
Martha Stewart,
2 May 2026
Glass patio doors are one of the best features a home can have — until they’re covered in smudges, water spots and a thin film of grime that makes the outdoors look overcast even on a sunny day.
—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
27 Apr. 2026
Sunlight reveals streaks and smudges that are invisible under indoor lighting, so step outside or look at the glass from the patio side before calling the job done.
—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Sacbee.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Some of her hair is clipped on top, while some messy bangs fall forward over her eyes, which visibly have makeup smudges under them.
—
Marci Robin,
Allure,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
Cleaning dirt and smudges off window glass helps sunlight penetrate into your home and will boost the amount of light that’s available to your houseplants.
—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Jan. 2026
Dim sunlight smudges skies for only a few hours in the depth of winter.
—
Tom Vanden Brook,
USA Today,
13 Aug. 2025
But the writer-director smudges the lines separating an ancient evil from a sordid but disappointingly non-supernatural crime.
—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smudges
Noun
-
Textra 11 Apex is not trying to replace a heavy-duty carpet extractor, and Fanttik is clear that it is not intended for stubborn, set-in stains or pet hair removal.
-
The lids are made with Rubbermaid’s BPA-free StainShield plastic, which resists odors and stains without warping in the dishwasher.
Verb
-
As the salmon blackens in a skillet, the spices awaken, encrusting the fish in peppery piquant.
Noun
-
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.
-
One of the few blots on last summer’s Leeds copybook.
Cite this Entry
“Smudges.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smudges. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
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