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
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
Miguel Perez, NPR, 6 Feb. 2025
Nevertheless, Trump made attacking trans athletes a major issue on the campaign trail, even smearing Olympic gold medalist boxer Imane Khelif, a cis woman, as an abusive trans woman days before the November 2024 election.
—Samantha Riedel, Them, 7 Feb. 2025
PCMAG, 27 Nov. 2024
Not to mention the horrible comments and smears leveled against Markle daily on social media.
—Sophia A. Nelson, Forbes, 4 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smear
Verb
Tune in as the sweet smell of an Eagles victory begins to waft through the air (or is that grease being smeared on the lamp posts down Broad Street?)
Either way, a win is imminent.
—Miguel Perez, NPR, 6 Feb. 2025
Nevertheless, Trump made attacking trans athletes a major issue on the campaign trail, even smearing Olympic gold medalist boxer Imane Khelif, a cis woman, as an abusive trans woman days before the November 2024 election.
—Samantha Riedel, Them, 7 Feb. 2025
Noun
While many touch screens have glossy finishes, the Swift Go has a smooth, matte coating that feels lovely to glide a finger across and doesn’t easily show the fingerprints and smears left behind.
—PCMAG, 27 Nov. 2024
Not to mention the horrible comments and smears leveled against Markle daily on social media.
—Sophia A. Nelson, Forbes, 4 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smear
Verb
-
Aaron Leitz The parlor is painted in Farrow & Ball’s Calke Green.—
Kathryn O'Shea-Evans,
Architectural Digest,
14 Feb. 2025
-
He was painted the Bills’ safest fantasy pick after Allen and Cook, the guy who would generate the most targets.—
Tim Graham,
The Athletic,
14 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
Though he was not named in the ad, Mr. Sullivan asserted he had been personally libeled by The Times and four Black ministers who were signed to the ad.—
David W. Dunlap,
New York Times,
22 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
At least Redick said some of his slander is in jest.—
Dan Woike,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Jan. 2025
-
Stray words and actions also can trigger liability for libel, slander, harassment, or other claims.—
Bob Carlson,
Forbes,
27 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
There’s a reserved spot in hell for the s*** stains pursuing this vile campaign to erase trans people.—
Andrew Sheeler,
Sacramento Bee,
17 Feb. 2025
-
For a president who came into office claiming that human rights would be at the crux of his foreign policy, Biden's inability to hold Azerbaijan responsible for its war crimes and atrocities will be a stain on his legacy.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
17 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Snow can quickly coat the ground and make for slippery travel, especially on bridges and overpasses.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
20 Feb. 2025
-
Snow and ice coated the tarmac, and powerful, blustery winds could be seen on video.—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
19 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
And a cover-up may have furthered the aims of domestic espionage operations like the CIA’s CHAOS and the FBI’s COINTELPRO, which targeted and discredited radical movements whether hippies, Black Panthers, or anti-war activists.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
21 Feb. 2025
-
Yes, but: King's family is concerned that Trump's order to release records about his assassination could revive the FBI's attempts to discredit him — efforts that sought to exploit his indiscretions with women and undermine his legacy, sources close to his relatives told Axios.—
Russell Contreras,
Axios,
20 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
While the mixed chats devolve into spaces for laddish toilet jokes, innuendos, and obsessions with drinking, the gals dissect the men without restraint.—
Kassondra Cloos,
Outside Online,
12 Feb. 2025
-
Spring is approaching, innuendo is blooming and the ceiling in the Rays clubhouse is dripping.—
John Romano,
Orlando Sentinel,
2 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
But the lights from the ceiling are shining back, highlighting the smudges on the mirror.—
Hank Sanders,
New York Times,
21 Feb. 2025
-
If the slow cooker has a stainless-steel finish showing some streaks, rub a small amount of baby oil into the surface with a microfiber cloth to remove smudges and polish the stainless steel.—
Jolie Kerr,
Better Homes & Gardens,
18 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Smear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smear. Accessed 28 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share