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
Relevance
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
Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 21 Apr. 2025
Avoid insecticides, greasy oils, or petroleum jelly smeared near the feeder that can coat hummingbird feathers.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 18 May 2025
Arthur Lubow, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2025
Add another smear of your favorite condiments on the top bun and enjoy!
—Joe Difazio, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smear
Verb
Another time, there was blood smeared on the wall from a fight.
—Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 21 Apr. 2025
Avoid insecticides, greasy oils, or petroleum jelly smeared near the feeder that can coat hummingbird feathers.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 18 May 2025
Noun
Editors’ Picks Review: Clooney, Fair and Balanced, in ‘Good Night, and Good Luck’
The pictures are grainy, and the prints are distressed with smears and scratches.
—Arthur Lubow, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2025
Add another smear of your favorite condiments on the top bun and enjoy!
—Joe Difazio, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smear
Verb
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However, a second source close to Justin painted a different picture of their lives.—
Ilana Kaplan,
People.com,
3 June 2025
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In all, the report paints a vivid picture of U.S. trade wars cascading through the global economy, then boomeranging back onto the U.S. itself.—
Catherine Baab,
Quartz,
3 June 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
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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
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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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Transfer to a large bowl coated with cooking spray.—
Marianne Williams,
Southern Living,
26 May 2025
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Sunflower seed shells are often coated in salt for taste and flavor, sometimes as much as 70 mg for every 1 ounce of seeds.14 The American Heart Association suggests consuming no more than 1,500 grams of sodium per day, although Dietary Guidelines allow for up to 2,300 milligrams per day.15 2.—
Cristina Mutchler,
Verywell Health,
23 May 2025
Verb
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Injuries contributed to the Pacers’ series wins over the Milwaukee Bucks and the Cleveland Cavaliers, but claiming the Pacers only advanced to the Eastern Conference finals for a second straight postseason because of lucky breaks discredits their greatness.—
Jovan Buha,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
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The former Minnesota Democratic congressman was widely shunned for running against Biden and discredited for his accusations that Biden wasn’t capable of being president again.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
22 May 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
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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 11 Jun. 2025.
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