as in to stain
to make dirty
she accidentally smudged her collar with the lipstick
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026
After a few years straight of barely there bronzy eyes, soft blush, and overall clean-girl makeup, artists predict that spring 2026 will usher in an era of bold, smudged, and imperfect beauty looks.
—Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 3 Apr. 2026
Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
That extra step helps remove streaks, smudges, and dullness, especially on surfaces that catch the light.
—Colleen Sullivan, Martha Stewart, 2 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for smudge
Verb
Amazon Charlotte Tilbury Exagger-Eyes Volume Mascara A mascara that’s guaranteed not to smudge your undereye is the crowning glory of anyone’s makeup collection.
—Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026
After a few years straight of barely there bronzy eyes, soft blush, and overall clean-girl makeup, artists predict that spring 2026 will usher in an era of bold, smudged, and imperfect beauty looks.
—Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 3 Apr. 2026
Noun
For the British Crown, such frontiers were smudges on the edge of the map.
—Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
That extra step helps remove streaks, smudges, and dullness, especially on surfaces that catch the light.
—Colleen Sullivan, Martha Stewart, 2 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for smudge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smudge
Verb
-
Sometimes, though, the tree dropped little brown fruits, inedible berries that stained everything and drove me into the glaring sun.—
Abraham Jiménez Enoa,
The Dial,
19 May 2026
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In the seven-time Grand Slam champion’s spread, shot by Ethan James Green, Alcaraz posed in an all-white ensemble of a vest, shorts, a top and a suit, stained with clay.—
Ava Wallace,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
The good news is that the gala survived its Bezos taint.—
Culture Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
5 May 2026
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There’s a purity here, the course free from the taint of bureaucracy governing so much of the academy.—
Peter Wayne Moe,
Longreads,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But as filming continued, Pidgeon appeared to dirty her butter blond with caramel and chocolate shades similar to Bessette-Kennedy’s, thanks to stylist Kari Hill.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
25 Feb. 2026
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With the help of your Instant Pot, spaghetti and meatballs come together in under an hour without dirtying multiple dishes.—
Jenna Sims,
Southern Living,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
There were risks, but he was not considered to have multiple blots on his record.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
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Add a few drops of mild detergent to warm water and blot the stain with a microfiber cloth rather than scrubbing it.—
Ryan Brennan,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Sepsis had left his skin peeling and his body blackened, including parts of his fingers, ears, lips and lower legs.—
Gina Kalsi,
PEOPLE,
15 May 2026
-
Broil close to heat until blackened and blistered, 4 to 5 minutes per side.—
Rick Bayless,
Midwest Living,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Smudge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smudge. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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