Synonyms of smudging

smudging

verb

present participle of smudge

as in staining

to make dirty

she accidentally smudged her collar with the lipstick

Synonyms & Similar Words

• staining
• blackening
• dirtying
• messing
• soiling
• mucking
• muddying
• daubing
• besmirching
• sullying
• griming
• fouling
• miring
• smirching
• distaining
• befouling
• contaminating
• polluting
• begriming
• discoloring
• gauming
• bemiring
• tainting
• defiling
• muddling
• jumbling
• disarranging
• disordering
• disheveling
• draggling
• crocking
• confusing
• disarraying
• collying

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• cleaning
• cleansing
• purging
• purifying
• wiping
• brushing
• dusting
• sweeping
• decontaminating
• washing
• scrubbing
• disinfecting
• rinsing
• mopping
• sanitizing
• laundering
• scouring
• brightening
• renewing
• freshening
• straightening (up)
• tidying (up)
• dry-cleaning
• deodorizing
• sprucing (up)

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of smudging

Best mascara This mascara uses a brush with nearly 500 micro bristles to coat and lift every lash without clumping or smudging. — Casey Delbasso, ABC News, 31 July 2026

Fine lines show signs of smudging around the edges and start to blur together at ISO 3200, and pretty much disappear at ISO 6400. — Jim Fisher, PC Magazine, 9 July 2026

Here’s how to reapply sunscreen over foundation without smudging your look. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson july 2, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026

The soda company had a third line where people could get face paint; a young man was smudging red makeup all over his chest. — Gabriel Sama, Mercury News, 21 June 2026

Definition softens, dry lips are a constant, volume diminishes, and suddenly your favorite Pillow Talk Lip Liner is migrating and smudging into fine lines. — Micaela English, Glamour, 30 Apr. 2026

Always set your glasses face up on surfaces to avoid scratching or smudging the lenses. — Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Feb. 2026

Valentinetti was tasked with smudging out his work, which has left a ghost-like white blob on the angel’s body. — Barbie Latza Nadeau, CNN Money, 5 Feb. 2026

Tarte Tartelette Tubing Mascara & Primer Duo Tarte’s Tartelette Tubing Mascara & Primer Duo is an easy win for anyone who wants long, fluttery lashes without smudging or flaking. — Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 18 Dec. 2025