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
1
as in slander
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of smear
Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 21 May 2025
The protests were meant to provoke a response; the obsessive smearing signals that the disruption is doing its work.
—Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 17 May 2025
Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2025
This recipe jazzes them up with a smear of almond butter and a sprinkle of granola and cinnamon.
—Caroline Tien, SELF, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smear
Verb
Simply adjust the cooking time as needed, and when rubbing the marinade on skin-on chicken, be sure to smear some of the marinade between the skin and flesh.
—Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 21 May 2025
The protests were meant to provoke a response; the obsessive smearing signals that the disruption is doing its work.
—Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 17 May 2025
Noun
Why are the numbers so low? Fired federal prosecutor claims ex-Fatburger CEO’s ‘smears’ reached White House.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2025
This recipe jazzes them up with a smear of almond butter and a sprinkle of granola and cinnamon.
—Caroline Tien, SELF, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smear
Verb
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The list, which was introduced in 2020, blends both sales and streaming data to paint a picture of what humanity is listening to.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2025
-
Across Florida and throughout the United States, a dangerous narrative is gaining ground, one that paints immigrants as threats, strangers and scapegoats for every social and economic ill.—
Maria Revelles,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 June 2025
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
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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
Noun
-
But Fallon was not standing for any slander toward Alcock on his show.—
Emlyn Travis Published,
EW.com,
20 May 2025
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The board did not elaborate on the content of the slander or say what the post and emails said.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
14 May 2025
Noun
-
Dorai Home Dish Pad – Quick-Dry Diatomite Stone Drying Mat for Kitchen Counter Compressed diatomaceous earth will also hold onto stains, which makes sense given the fact that its job is to absorb moisture.—
Emily Farris,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
3 June 2025
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Many of the vessels were sunk in very deep water, and a reconnaissance mission would require a significant amount of time and funds, by which point the more than 80-year-old wrecks could be little more than rust stains on the seafloor.—
Asia London Palomba,
Smithsonian Magazine,
2 June 2025
Verb
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Scherzinger’s face was contoured and coated in a warm bronzer to match the shimmery sunset shadow on her eyes.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
9 June 2025
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Hold cake square over bowl of glaze and, using a small ladle or a serving spoon, ladle glaze all over cake square, making sure to coat all sides.—
Ann Taylor Pittman,
Southern Living,
8 June 2025
Verb
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Trump’s team is working furiously to keep the bill going on other fronts, too: seeking to discredit Congress’s nonpartisan scorekeeper while savaging Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., for resisting the bill and its debt ceiling increase.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
6 June 2025
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The White House has sought to discredit the CBO, but other groups have also presented estimates that conclude that the legislation would expand the U.S. government deficit by trillions of dollars.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
4 June 2025
Noun
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Leave it to Strangers With Candy’s Colbert to find and exploit every innuendo one stumbles upon whilst cooking a roast.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
7 Feb. 2025
-
To the relief of everybody, weeks of rumors/subterfuge/smokescreens/innuendo come to a merciful end.—
Jim Reineking,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
For tougher smudges, slightly dampen the cloth with 70% isopropyl alcohol.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
30 May 2025
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Shop the best sweatproof mascaras Say goodbye to streaks, smears, and smudges with these mascaras that actually stay put.—
Sara Coughlin,
SELF,
23 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Smear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smear. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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