smudges 1 of 2

noun

plural of smudge
as in stains
a mark of guilt or disgrace the president's spouse must not have the slightest smudge of scandal

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smudges

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of smudge
as in blackens
to make dirty she accidentally smudged her collar with the lipstick

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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 smudges
Noun
Clean regularly because frequent care keeps stainless steel bright and reduces smudges. — Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 28 Sep. 2026 Freshen Stainless Steel Coconut oil can be a great product for cleaning stainless steel, says home and pool expert Jeremy Yamaguchi, CEO of Cabana—specifically to remove fingerprints and smudges. — Emily Hayes, Martha Stewart, 17 Sep. 2026 Live music has become almost as synonymous with the festival as smudges of chalk on fingers and faces, and attendees were dancing and enjoying the performances in the light heat of the early afternoon. — Sacbee.com, 6 Sep. 2026 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 Unless there are fingerprints or visible smudges cleaning them every two to four weeks is usually enough. — Ashlyn Needham, The Spruce, 21 Aug. 2026 The phone has a fingerprint-resistant finish, which is a relief for anyone who can't stand smudges. — Kimberly Gedeon, PC Magazine, 19 Aug. 2026 No matter what color or finish is in during a particular season, true high-net-worth nails will always be centered on cared-for cuticles, immaculate polish placement (no smudges, chips, or flooding), and minimalist or neutral designs. — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 15 Aug. 2026 Be sure to clean up smudges with a cotton swab lightly dipped in makeup remover. — Micaela English, Glamour, 14 Aug. 2026
Verb
Cleaning dirt and smudges off window glass helps sunlight penetrate into your home and will boost the amount of light that’s available to your houseplants. — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Jan. 2026 Dim sunlight smudges skies for only a few hours in the depth of winter. — Tom Vanden Brook, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2025 But the writer-director smudges the lines separating an ancient evil from a sordid but disappointingly non-supernatural crime. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smudges
  1. stains
  2. blackens
  3. blots
Noun
  • Rodent droppings and urine stains were found on the floors in the miscellaneous storage room, dry storage and bar.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Lacoste took inspiration straight from the tennis court, showing jeans with clay-like stains.
    — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of stains
Verb
  • After the first killing frost blackens their foliage, wait for a dry day and gently lift them with a garden fork.
    — Pam Rosendal, Denver Post, 27 Sep. 2026
  • As the salmon blackens in a skillet, the spices awaken, encrusting the fish in peppery piquant.
    — The Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of blackens
Noun
  • Dabbing the cloth in rubbing alcohol, working away the dirty blots on the glass, waiting for the haze in my head to focus, and a new line to come to me.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 June 2026
  • One of the few blots on last summer’s Leeds copybook.
    — Tim Spiers, New York Times, 26 May 2026
Definition of blots

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Cite this Entry

“Smudges.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smudges. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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