as in to stain
to make dirty
she accidentally smudged her collar with the lipstick
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
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 smudge
Alissa Wilkinson, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2025
The goal is to achieve a juicy look, characterized by an imprecise and slightly smudged application, reminiscent of the resulting lip tint after taking a bite of fruit.
—Beatrice Zocchi, Vogue, 5 Nov. 2024
Peter Green, Quartz, 9 Dec. 2024
An image – a large sphere covered in orange and blue dots, and smudges – flashed on the screen.
—Jessica Hullinger, theweek, 27 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for smudge 
Verb
There’s a kind of Gothic quality to the apparitions, calling to mind Edward Gorey figures, but all smeared and melted and smudged.
—Alissa Wilkinson, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2025
The goal is to achieve a juicy look, characterized by an imprecise and slightly smudged application, reminiscent of the resulting lip tint after taking a bite of fruit.
—Beatrice Zocchi, Vogue, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
Christmas trees, pruned and stacked and ready to fill American homes with a once-a-year smudge of green and the scent of fresh pine needles.
—Peter Green, Quartz, 9 Dec. 2024
An image – a large sphere covered in orange and blue dots, and smudges – flashed on the screen.
—Jessica Hullinger, theweek, 27 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for smudge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smudge
Verb
-
Wear gloves while cleaning or handling chemicals (such as formaldehyde) that could cause reactions or staining in the nails. Perform regular maintenance on manicures.—
Jenny Berg,
Allure,
27 Jan. 2025
-
After slicing and staining their samples, the researchers then slid them under a microscope to measure their growth rings, as well as their blue rings.—
Sam Walters,
Discover Magazine,
22 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Such stories also give permission to new forms, while protecting designs from too strong a taint of faddishness, or of strenuous icon-making.—
Ian Parker,
The New Yorker,
20 Jan. 2025
-
While Weiss had rejected any taint of politics in his approach, the investigation was the subject of much congressional scrutiny.—
Rebecca Beitsch,
The Hill,
13 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Instead of dirtying a larger pot for your supporting dishes, this quaint cooker will come in handy for quick (or slower simmering) concoctions while matching your kitchen atmosphere.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Jan. 2025
-
Having dirtied himself in the catacombs beneath the papacy’s home, our scrappy archaeologist emerges into none other than a resplendent re-creation of the Sistine Chapel.—
Lewis Gordon,
Vulture,
18 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Unfair to ex-felons One of the worst blots on Bondi’s résumé was one of her first acts as attorney general.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
14 Jan. 2025
-
Red Wine or Dark-Colored Food Stains As quickly as possible, lift away any solids and blot, blot, blot away the moisture.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
28 Oct. 2024
Verb
-
The charred footprint of the Eaton fire, which blackened more than 14,000 acres, is the most worrisome.—
Alene Tchekmedyian,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Jan. 2025
-
In one corner, fires from ancient rituals had left the limestone ceiling blackened by soot.—
Gina DeCaprio Vercesi,
Travel + Leisure,
23 Jan. 2025
Articles Related to smudge
Thesaurus Entries Near smudge
Cite this Entry
“Smudge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smudge. Accessed 8 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share