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
Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Mar. 2025
Carbs Before bed, the best carbohydrate options are complex carbs and whole foods, like a piece of whole-grain toast smeared with avocado or a banana with almond butter.
—Lauren Panoff, Mph, Rd, Verywell Health, 28 Feb. 2025
Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025
Business Column: The Nazi roots of the Trump-Vance smear of Haitian immigrants
Sept. 17, 2024
Two UFW members were pressured into signing a form attesting to their voluntary departure from the U.S., then shipped over the border from El Centro to Mexicali, De Loera-Brust says.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smear
Verb
Do not wipe or smear the turmeric, and avoid adding liquid cleaners, which can flood the turmeric, causing the stain to spread.
—Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Mar. 2025
Carbs Before bed, the best carbohydrate options are complex carbs and whole foods, like a piece of whole-grain toast smeared with avocado or a banana with almond butter.
—Lauren Panoff, Mph, Rd, Verywell Health, 28 Feb. 2025
Noun
What a horrible woman to launch such a disgusting smear against family.
—Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025
Business Column: The Nazi roots of the Trump-Vance smear of Haitian immigrants
Sept. 17, 2024
Two UFW members were pressured into signing a form attesting to their voluntary departure from the U.S., then shipped over the border from El Centro to Mexicali, De Loera-Brust says.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smear
Verb
-
The best times of year to paint your home are early summer and early fall.—
Kamron Sanders,
Better Homes & Gardens,
23 Mar. 2025
-
Whether painted, re-printed, or scanned, there are endless ways to take the words and handwriting on the card and turn them into something long lasting.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
23 Mar. 2025
Verb
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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
-
Wright got so big on social media even Piers Morgan invited her to libel Jay Z and Beyonce on his platform.—
Rob Marriott,
VIBE.com,
30 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Andy Reid is not happy about the Taylor Swift slander.—
Rania Aniftos,
Billboard,
26 Feb. 2025
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Melissa Gilbert will not stand for any Little House on the Prairie slander.—
Julia Moore,
People.com,
31 Jan. 2025
Noun
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No one wants a yellow stain on their outdoor furniture.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
26 Mar. 2025
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Allow 5-10 minutes for the hydrogen peroxide to penetrate and break down the stain, then wash with hot, soapy water and dry thoroughly.—
Jolie Kerr,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Stir in drained pasta, basil, and lemon zest until coated, adding the remaining 1/4 cup cooking water (about 1 tablespoon at a time) to loosen sauce as needed.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
17 Mar. 2025
-
Cover with nonstick foil or foil coated in nonstick spray.—
Sarah Martens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 Mar. 2025
Verb
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President Trump on Tuesday escalated his campaign to discredit judges who get in his way, calling on Congress to impeach the judge at the center of a legal fight over the deportation of hundreds of immigrants to El Salvador.—
Brian Bennett,
TIME,
18 Mar. 2025
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More often than not these spins have one end goal: to dismiss or discredit someone or something.—
Lucy Dolan-Zalaznick,
Vogue,
12 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The allegation might have risen above ignorant innuendo if Lyman had tried to show any evidence that the governor, the mayor or the port commissioner had anything to do with the container ship striking the bridge.—
Clarence Page,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Feb. 2025
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Some would now be addressed by a company’s HR department, but back then they were considered the norm, including innuendo.—
Elizabeth Marie Himchak,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Jan. 2025
Noun
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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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Smear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smear. Accessed 30 Mar. 2025.
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