smudged; smudging
1
a
: a blurry spot or streak
b
: an immaterial stain
cleanse him of every last smudge of impropriety—
Richard Hanser
Richard Hanser
c
: an indistinct mass : blur
2
: a smoldering mass placed on the windward side (as to protect from frost)
3
: a bid of four in pitch that if made wins the game
Examples of smudge in a Sentence
Verb
Don't smudge the picture with your dirty hands!
His face was smudged with grease.
Noun
His hand left a grimy smudge on the wall.
the president's spouse must not have the slightest smudge of scandal
Recent Examples on the Web
Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 14 Mar. 2025
Highlighter + Balm Duo was applied to high points, like the cupid’s bow and nose bridge, with eyeliner smudged across the lids to create a smoke screen.
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 13 Mar. 2025
Jessica Ourisman, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
The 7 Best Reusable Paper Towels, According to Testing
Wipe Exterior with Damp Cloth
Wipe the exterior with a damp cloth or sponge to remove any drips from overflow batter and to remove fingerprints and other smudges.
—Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smudge
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Verb
Wrought from a bevy of synths and pedals manipulated live in her London studio and mastered by Telefon Tel Aviv, Whatever the Weather II presents a song cycle themed around different temperatures, smudging tactile and vaporous sounds into an alluring collage.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 14 Mar. 2025
Highlighter + Balm Duo was applied to high points, like the cupid’s bow and nose bridge, with eyeliner smudged across the lids to create a smoke screen.
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 13 Mar. 2025
Noun
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
The 7 Best Reusable Paper Towels, According to Testing
Wipe Exterior with Damp Cloth
Wipe the exterior with a damp cloth or sponge to remove any drips from overflow batter and to remove fingerprints and other smudges.
—Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smudge
Cite this Entry
“Smudge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/smudge. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
smudge
1 of 2 verb
smudged; smudging
1
a
: to make a smudge on
b
: to soil as if by smudging
2
: to make a smudge
a chalk that does not smudge
3
: to become smudged
charcoal drawings smudge easily
smudge
2 of 2 noun1
a
: a blurry spot or streak : smear
2
: a fire made to smoke (as for protecting fruit from frost)
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