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.
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Recent Examples of smear
Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 2 May 2025
Just a man with a grudge using his television show to smear us instead of trying to understand us.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 28 Apr. 2025
Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 21 Apr. 2025
And anonymous smears from disgruntled former employees on old news doesn’t matter.
—Brett Samuels, The Hill, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smear
Verb
More than three dozen athletes have joined in a civil lawsuit against the DCI, alleging the agency had violated their rights and smeared their reputations.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 2 May 2025
Just a man with a grudge using his television show to smear us instead of trying to understand us.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 28 Apr. 2025
Noun
It was spray-painted over after a health department inspection, but the outline of the smear was still visible, Jennifer said.
—Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 21 Apr. 2025
And anonymous smears from disgruntled former employees on old news doesn’t matter.
—Brett Samuels, The Hill, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smear
Verb
-
Sleek, flat-panel cabinets (painted in Dylan by Portola Paints) contrast with the irregular zellige tile backsplash by Zia Tile.—
Lauren Bengtson,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 May 2025
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But that wouldn’t happen even if Chardin, who lived 1699 to 1779 in Paris, painted the objects in the middle of an earthquake.—
James Russell,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
21 May 2025
Verb
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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
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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
Noun
-
The board did not elaborate on the content of the slander or say what the post and emails said.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
14 May 2025
-
The offended and outraged prince and his parliament took the Hunt brothers to court for slander and won.—
Emily Zarevich,
JSTOR Daily,
4 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Choose a bright, cheery yellow paint or opt for a deep chocolate stain with white window trim for a classic cabin vibe.—
Brittany VanDerBill,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 May 2025
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Yves Saint Laurent Vinyl Cream Lip Stain $41 $30 Nordstrom Rack YSL's Vinyl Cream Lip Stain brings the staying power of a lip stain and the shine factor of a gloss.—
Annie Blackman,
Allure,
23 May 2025
Verb
-
Transfer to a large bowl coated with cooking spray.—
Marianne Williams,
Southern Living,
26 May 2025
-
Sunflower seed shells are often coated in salt for taste and flavor, sometimes as much as 70 mg for every 1 ounce of seeds.14 The American Heart Association suggests consuming no more than 1,500 grams of sodium per day, although Dietary Guidelines allow for up to 2,300 milligrams per day.15 2.—
Cristina Mutchler,
Verywell Health,
23 May 2025
Verb
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The attempts to discredit women like Ventura discount the reality of their lives, Gee said.—
Lisa Respers France,
CNN Money,
13 May 2025
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But in a possible attempt to discredit Pryor, her name and some details of her confidential complaint, available only to the mayor, commissioners and senior city employees, have been circulated publicly.—
Steve Bousquet,
Sun Sentinel,
10 May 2025
Noun
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Leave it to Strangers With Candy’s Colbert to find and exploit every innuendo one stumbles upon whilst cooking a roast.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
7 Feb. 2025
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To the relief of everybody, weeks of rumors/subterfuge/smokescreens/innuendo come to a merciful end.—
Jim Reineking,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Shop the best sweatproof mascaras Say goodbye to streaks, smears, and smudges with these mascaras that actually stay put.—
Sara Coughlin,
SELF,
23 Apr. 2025
-
After 30 to 60 seconds under a UV lamp, your manicure is smudge proof and long-wearing.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
9 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Smear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smear. Accessed 1 Jun. 2025.
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