smear 1 of 2

verb

Definition of smearnext
1
as in to paint
to rub an oily or sticky substance over the toddler gleefully smeared her hair and face with maple syrup

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in to libel
to make untrue and harmful statements about he is willing to smear his opponent if doing so would win the election

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

smear

2 of 2

noun

1
as in slander

Related Words
2
as in stain

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 smear
Verb
While many lip products promise color that doesn’t smear and lasts all day, nothing compares to my holy grail, the Wonderskin Wonder Blading All-Day Lip Stain. — Jacqueline Tempera, PEOPLE, 2 Aug. 2026 In her view, the way to calm things down is for Clark to denounce the very fans defending her while players drive forearms into her throat and television analysts smear her character. — Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 29 July 2026
Noun
By spinning in flight at between 15 and 25 Hz, Phantom Twist takes advantage of humans’ decidedly mediocre visual system to turn a solid spinning object into an opaque smear. — IEEE Spectrum, 16 July 2026 Two smash patties are welded together with cheese; a smear of aioli lends a creaminess. — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for smear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smear
  1. paint
  2. libel
  3. slander
  4. stain
  5. coat
  6. discredit
  7. innuendo
  8. smudge
Verb
  • Bait doesn’t always paint your character, Shah, in a positive light.
    — Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 21 Aug. 2026
  • They are told to explain the business case, paint a compelling vision of the future, define the benefits of the change and communicate them throughout the organization.
    — John Radman, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of paint
Verb
  • In 2022, Manhattan Federal Judge Jed Rakoff, who presided over both trials, decided The Times was not liable for defamation while jurors were deliberating, that the error amounted to unfortunate editorializing but not libel.
    — Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 22 Apr. 2025
  • As a new, inexpensive Chevrolet appeared in 1927 and The Dearborn Independent was sued for libeling a number of Jewish businessmen, Ford threw in the towel and apologized.
    — George Pendle, airmail.news, 15 Mar. 2025
Definition of libel
Noun
  • David Brouillette denied the allegations in court filings and accused the unnamed ex-wife of slander, the AP reports, but she was granted a temporary protective order on behalf of the daughter in 2021.
    — Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
  • The French influencer Eros Brousson strikes again – this time with Waffle House slander.
    — Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 June 2026
Definition of slander
Noun
  • More specifically, 55 percent of ready-to-wear consumers note their frustrations with sweat stains.
    — Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The most common culprits for grout stains are spills, cleaning residue, and mold/mildew buildup.
    — Abid Haque, Architectural Digest, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of stain
Verb
  • Trump’s desire, which is to coat the granite facade with white paint, has been met with significant pushback from historians who say that covering the historic building’s granite exterior with paint could trap moisture and damage the stone.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Last year’s winner was the Crab and Mozzarella Arancini, which included Maryland blue crab meat, white rice with herbs and mozzarella coated in Italian breadcrumbs, served with marinara sauce.
    — Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of coat
Verb
  • Inflicting these details on the jury, the children’s family members, and the public served no discernible purpose in establishing Clancy’s mens rea, which might have discredited her not-guilty plea.
    — Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2026
  • The indictment became a rallying point to discredit not only the SPLC but the wider body of research on hate groups and political extremism.
    — Art Jipson, The Conversation, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of discredit
Noun
  • The comment has since gone viral, and Ossoff has repeatedly doubled down on the remarks, despite some on the right accusing him of pushing innuendo about the much-younger Harp and some on the left suggesting the comments went too far.
    — Sara Dorn, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The way it's being phrased, the innuendo there that transgender women are predators of some kind in the locker room.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of innuendo
Noun
  • The phone has a fingerprint-resistant finish, which is a relief for anyone who can't stand smudges.
    — Kimberly Gedeon, PC Magazine, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Every touch seems to leave behind an oily smudge on stainless steel.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of smudge

Browse Nearby Words

smatters
smear
smeared
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Cite this Entry

“Smear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smear. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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