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
Related Words
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 smear
Ginger Crichton, Midwest Living, 21 May 2026
While being held at the Independence Police Department’s detention unit, Ashley allegedly damaged the inside of a cell by smearing feces and blood on the walls and floor.
—Kansas City Star, 19 May 2026
Rob Davis, ProPublica, 14 May 2026
In the past year, GUDEA, a behavioral intelligence startup that tracks viral, reputation-harming claims on the internet, flagged two separate bot smear campaigns against Taylor Swift and Chappell Roan.
—Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for smear
Verb
Cara Mangini spoons these luscious tomatoes over crostini that she's smeared with goat cheese or ricotta, then tops each with extra basil.
—Ginger Crichton, Midwest Living, 21 May 2026
While being held at the Independence Police Department’s detention unit, Ashley allegedly damaged the inside of a cell by smearing feces and blood on the walls and floor.
—Kansas City Star, 19 May 2026
Noun
One woman said her scheduled pap smear at the Corvallis Clinic was delayed more than six months.
—Rob Davis, ProPublica, 14 May 2026
In the past year, GUDEA, a behavioral intelligence startup that tracks viral, reputation-harming claims on the internet, flagged two separate bot smear campaigns against Taylor Swift and Chappell Roan.
—Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for smear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smear
Verb
-
For years, radical climate activists have painted a bleak view of the future.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
29 May 2026
-
As readers are now no doubt aware, the 2026 regulations have painted the sport into a bit of a corner.—
Jonathan M. Gitlin,
ArsTechnica,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
The slander towards the course throughout the week was aplenty, and warranted.—
Mark Harris OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
25 May 2026
-
And always these massacres were preceded by vilification, by slanders.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
Before any storm is on the radar, photograph the entire roof system from the ground, capture close-ups of shingles, flashings, vents and gutters, and check the attic interior for any pre-existing stains or moisture.—
David Nye,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 May 2026
-
Lindsay is very real for worrying about her pit stains.—
Emma Specter,
Vogue,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
Regions like Brittany and Bordeaux have their own distinctive baking traditions, with buttery treats that come shaped like bicycle wheels or coated in beeswax.—
Jen Rose Smith,
CNN Money,
28 May 2026
-
Both types benefit from careful timing and being coated with sauce, if desired, right after cooking.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
After the war, his goalscoring statistics were deleted and his achievements were discredited, with the Polish press labelling him as mentally unstable and an alcoholic.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
1 June 2026
-
Hit men are dispatched, homicide takes hold, and a smear campaign is hatched to discredit Zaminsky as faking signals to keep his SETI gig.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
31 May 2026
Noun
-
Weather experts, emergency managers, and other officials do not need to waste time swatting down viral rumors and innuendo.—
Marshall Shepherd,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2026
-
Annette Bening does her best with all the hazy innuendo her character has to deliver.—
Noel Murray,
Vulture,
22 May 2026
Noun
-
Here are a couple more cardigans to complete the all-white outfit — and just remember, summer style is meant to feel lived-in, even if that means a smudge or two along the way.—
Jeaneen Russell,
PEOPLE,
1 June 2026
-
The formula is transfer-resistant, waterproof and smudge-resistant, helping makeup maintain its appearance through long days.—
Corein Carter,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Smear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smear. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
