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
Related Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of smear
Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 8 June 2025
To avoid overconsumption of fluoride in children, the CDC recommends minimal fluoride use for children under 6. — just a grain-sized smear of toothpaste for kids under 3 and a pea-sized smear between ages 3 to 6.
—Maria Briceño, Austin American Statesman, 10 Apr. 2025
Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 7 July 2025
Blood appeared to be smeared across the woman’s nose and mouth and across the sheets, according to court documents.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for smear
Verb
Southern Living contributor Rick Bragg says the recipe is actually very simple: squishy white brand, salt and pepper, generous smears of mayo, and slices of juicy tomatoes.
—Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 8 June 2025
To avoid overconsumption of fluoride in children, the CDC recommends minimal fluoride use for children under 6. — just a grain-sized smear of toothpaste for kids under 3 and a pea-sized smear between ages 3 to 6.
—Maria Briceño, Austin American Statesman, 10 Apr. 2025
Noun
This will lead to smearing dust particles around instead of picking them up, which is where a wet cloth comes into play.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 7 July 2025
Blood appeared to be smeared across the woman’s nose and mouth and across the sheets, according to court documents.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for smear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smear
Verb
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Conversely, the Wall's eastern exposure was painted bland white, probably so soldiers could more easily spot anyone trying to climb over and escape to the West.—
Jim Clash,
Forbes.com,
2 Aug. 2025
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Choose a day when the temperatures won't be too cold or too hot and plan to paint during the mid-morning or late afternoon for the best results.—
Timothy Dale,
Better Homes & Gardens,
2 Aug. 2025
Verb
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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
-
The use of obscene or profane language, personal attack, libel, slander, defamation, physical violence or the threat thereof, as determined by the presiding officer, shall constitute a disturbing a lawful meeting.—
Sharon Coolidge,
The Enquirer,
3 July 2025
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In a civil lawsuit alleging slander and libel, Eriksen said Christopher and Jessica Ikner were making false allegations against her and harassing her.—
Claire Healy,
Miami Herald,
18 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Curious how a simple coffee stain could inspire cutting-edge diagnostics and revolutionize at-home testing?—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
23 July 2025
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Regularly maintaining your granite countertops is crucial to prevent stains, scratches, and dullness.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
22 July 2025
Verb
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Except there’s a mystery, wrapped in an enigma, and coated in a puzzle.—
Irina Ivanova,
Fortune,
13 July 2025
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Chicken and waffles are also popular, and one waffle menu item comes coated in Fruity Pebbles breakfast cereal.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
11 July 2025
Verb
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This is mainly an effort to discredit and demonize property taxes, which DeSantis wants to abolish or severely curtail in Florida.—
Steve Bousquet,
Sun Sentinel,
26 July 2025
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Trump’s theory here, juiced by Gabbard, is that Obama used talk of Russian election interference to discredit Trump’s 2016 election win and hobble his first term in office.—
Chris Brennan,
USA Today,
24 July 2025
Noun
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For this event, Love Island has dispensed with the innuendos and just gone for a straightforward kink theme.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Vulture,
18 June 2025
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As del Toro and the audience immediately started to laugh, Clarkson realized the accidental innuendo.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
6 June 2025
Noun
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Eight miles away in the distance, the popular vacation metropolis was barely visible, its concrete towers and sprawling all-inclusives a grey smudge on the horizon.—
David Shortell,
Travel + Leisure,
22 June 2025
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Smash-cut to: a scowling woman leaving a police station in a black minidress and the telltale thick eyeliner smudge of A Woman Who Doesn’t Have Her Life Together.—
Caroline Framke,
Vulture,
22 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Smear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smear. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
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