as in to stain
to make dirty
she accidentally smudged her collar with the lipstick
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
India Espy-Jones, Essence, 13 Mar. 2025
Like other gel liners, this is easy to smudge for that perfectly imperfect smoky look.
—Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 18 Mar. 2025
Joe Osborne, PCMAG, 5 Mar. 2025
Quickly banish stains, smudges, and smears from these household surfaces.
—Emily Williams, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smudge
Verb
Highlighter + Balm Duo was applied to high points, like the cupid’s bow and nose bridge, with eyeliner smudged across the lids to create a smoke screen.
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 13 Mar. 2025
Like other gel liners, this is easy to smudge for that perfectly imperfect smoky look.
—Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 18 Mar. 2025
Noun
On a related note, Apple's Midnight (black) colorway now has the same fingerprint-resistant anodization on its aluminum as the black MacBook Pro to better resist oily smudges.
—Joe Osborne, PCMAG, 5 Mar. 2025
Quickly banish stains, smudges, and smears from these household surfaces.
—Emily Williams, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smudge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smudge
Verb
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With a yellow rubber glove on her right hand, Heintzelman picks up her finished creations and puts them, one by one, back into egg cartons, with the toilet bowl prominently stained in the background.—
Brian Anthony Hernandez,
People.com,
14 Apr. 2025
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If Bonhoeffer’s example is used to justify more far-right Christian violence in America, that would be another tragedy — and a cruel irony that would stain the legacy of a man who gave up everything to confront a tyrant.—
John Blake,
CNN Money,
13 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Bonus: The vast majority of Aussie wines are sealed with screw caps, regardless of price, which equals consistency, longer aging, and zero risk of cork taint.—
Christina Pickard,
Bon Appétit,
5 Mar. 2025
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Catholicism offers ritual without the tedium of rationality; anarchism offers revolutionary action against inequality without the taint of materialism, the prospect of personal gain.—
Adam Gopnik,
The New Yorker,
24 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Place them in a shoe bag or wrap them in a plastic bag to keep them from dirtying other items.—
Will Porter,
Travel + Leisure,
12 Feb. 2025
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For example, a small non-shedding dog that rarely goes outside won't dirty a bed nearly as fast as a large labarador that plays outside daily.—
Halee Miller Van Ryswyk,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The ink blots of the past 20 years are dried all over Metal Gear Solid Delta.—
Ashley Bardhan,
Rolling Stone,
6 Feb. 2025
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How To Get Pen Out Of Clothes Pet Stains Remove any solids and blot wet areas with a paper towel.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
28 Oct. 2024
Verb
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The mains are just as exciting, with dishes like Thai basil yellowfin tuna and blackened redfish on offer.—
Amanda Ogle,
Travel + Leisure,
24 Apr. 2025
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One time, alone in a lean-to of sticks in Florida, something huge blackened the night nearby.—
Blair Braverman,
Outside Online,
17 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Smudge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smudge. Accessed 9 May. 2025.
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