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
Mike Hanlon, New Atlas, 6 Mar. 2025
Where do the ashes smudged on worshipers' foreheads come from?
—Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2025
Michael Santoli, CNBC, 21 Jan. 2025
The thin, delicate skin of the under-eye can easily become dry and flaky, but too emollient of a texture can lead makeup to shift or smudge.
—Jessica Ourisman, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smudge
Verb
Older readers of this article may have learned to write in such a way (guilty yer honor) – dipping the nib of a pen into an inkwell, and scratching out the words, hoping to have sufficient ink to complete a word, without picking up too much ink and smudging your masterpiece.
—Mike Hanlon, New Atlas, 6 Mar. 2025
Where do the ashes smudged on worshipers' foreheads come from?
—Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2025
Noun
That’s indistinguishable from the 13.5% yearly gain the index has put up for the past ten years and within a smudge of the 15-year pace of 13.8%.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 21 Jan. 2025
The thin, delicate skin of the under-eye can easily become dry and flaky, but too emollient of a texture can lead makeup to shift or smudge.
—Jessica Ourisman, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smudge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smudge
Verb
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If Bonhoeffer’s example is used to justify more far-right Christian violence in America, that would be another tragedy — and a cruel irony that would stain the legacy of a man who gave up everything to confront a tyrant.—
John Blake,
CNN Money,
13 Apr. 2025
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Pérez's manager, Enrique Paulino, spoke to reporters at the scene, his shirt stained with blood.—
Gordon G. Chang,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Catholicism offers ritual without the tedium of rationality; anarchism offers revolutionary action against inequality without the taint of materialism, the prospect of personal gain.—
Adam Gopnik,
The New Yorker,
24 Feb. 2025
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Driving the news: Researchers from Oregon State sent a bunch of Oregon pinot — some with smoke taint, some smoke-free — over to New Zealand for a taste test.—
Kale Williams,
Axios,
12 Feb. 2025
Verb
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For example, a small non-shedding dog that rarely goes outside won't dirty a bed nearly as fast as a large labarador that plays outside daily.—
Halee Miller Van Ryswyk,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Apr. 2025
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Grease dirtied the handles of the ovens, the microwave ovens and the coolers.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
14 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The ink blots of the past 20 years are dried all over Metal Gear Solid Delta.—
Ashley Bardhan,
Rolling Stone,
6 Feb. 2025
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How To Get Pen Out Of Clothes Pet Stains Remove any solids and blot wet areas with a paper towel.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
28 Oct. 2024
Verb
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Juicy, whole lobster served grilled or blackened is best, though the menu at this famous haunt features every possible elaboration of the dish.—
Carley Rojas Avila,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Apr. 2025
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Photo : Andrew Pogue The compact kitchen sports blackened stainless-steel counters.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
16 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Smudge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smudge. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
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