smear 1 of 2

verb

Definition of smearnext
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

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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

smear

2 of 2

noun

1
as in slander

Related Words
2
as in stain

Related Words

Dissimilar 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
Verb
While many lip products promise color that doesn’t smear and lasts all day, nothing compares to my holy grail, the Wonderskin Wonder Blading All-Day Lip Stain. — Jacqueline Tempera, PEOPLE, 2 Aug. 2026 In her view, the way to calm things down is for Clark to denounce the very fans defending her while players drive forearms into her throat and television analysts smear her character. — Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 29 July 2026
Noun
The claim and counterclaim are among serious allegations – including of smear campaigns and embezzlement – aired in multiple court cases now swirling around the production of the Australian musical comedy. — Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 22 July 2026 Ghost also accused Wilson and her PR team of concocting a smear campaign against her. — Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 22 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for smear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smear
  1. paint
  2. libel
  3. slander
  4. stain
  5. coat
  6. discredit
  7. innuendo
  8. smudge
Verb
  • On one wall, the ambassador installed Marc Lipp’s Fight Fight Fight, a depiction of Trump with a bloody ear and raised fist painted by one of the president’s favorite Palm Beach watercolorists.
    — Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Taken together, experts say, the moves paint a picture of a hedge fund manager willing to buy when others are forced to sell, take profits when opportunities change and rotate capital toward companies with strong underlying businesses.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of paint
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
Definition of libel
Noun
  • David Brouillette denied the allegations in court filings and accused the unnamed ex-wife of slander, the AP reports, but she was granted a temporary protective order on behalf of the daughter in 2021.
    — Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
  • The French influencer Eros Brousson strikes again – this time with Waffle House slander.
    — Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 June 2026
Definition of slander
Noun
  • Their ripe fruit can fall and stain sidewalks and patios, so make sure the tree has plenty of room away from those areas in your yard.
    — Helena Madden, Martha Stewart, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The stoneware resists chips, scratches, and stains, and everything is dishwasher-safe for easy cleanup.
    — Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of stain
Verb
  • Add chicken back to sauce and cook for 3 to 5 minutes until chicken is coated and warmed through.
    — Elizabeth Nelson, Southern Living, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Lift up pan from burner and pour ¼ cup batter onto one side, then immediately tilt pan and swirl batter to coat surface evenly.
    — Julia Sherman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of coat
Verb
  • In trying to discredit public concerns about data centers as a psyop, Goldman and others said, tech leaders are taking a page out of the intelligence playbook themselves.
    — Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Inflicting these details on the jury, the children’s family members, and the public served no discernible purpose in establishing Clancy’s mens rea, which might have discredited her not-guilty plea.
    — Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of discredit
Noun
  • The comment has since gone viral, and Ossoff has repeatedly doubled down on the remarks, despite some on the right accusing him of pushing innuendo about the much-younger Harp and some on the left suggesting the comments went too far.
    — Sara Dorn, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The way it's being phrased, the innuendo there that transgender women are predators of some kind in the locker room.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of innuendo
Noun
  • Compared with the thick smudges of white on the fan that Amélie is holding, or the broad, lush strokes of the background, the sleeve is fidgety.
    — Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Maybelline describes the formula as waterproof, smudge-resistant, and transfer-resistant for up to 24 hours.
    — Mickey Williams, Flow Space, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of smudge

Browse Nearby Words

smatters
smear
smeared
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Cite this Entry

“Smear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smear. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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