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
David Folkenflik, NPR, 20 Jan. 2025
Half of his face was painted with bright pink lipstick in the clip, while more makeup was smeared all over his nose and eyes.
—Escher Walcott, People.com, 19 Jan. 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
Lewis tells police a former prime minister may have targeted News UK's CEO
Lewis stands accused by Watson's legal team of helping to destroy evidence, lying to investigators and smearing Watson and former Prime Minister Gordon Brown to justify withholding evidence.
—David Folkenflik, NPR, 20 Jan. 2025
Half of his face was painted with bright pink lipstick in the clip, while more makeup was smeared all over his nose and eyes.
—Escher Walcott, People.com, 19 Jan. 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
-
When all of the shrimp are coated, place the baking sheet into the fridge and let the shrimp chill for 15 minutes.—
Katie Workman,
Twin Cities,
3 Feb. 2025
-
In some cases, products that have plastic enclosures coated with flame retardants may be able to achieve similar fire ratings by replacing the plastic with less flammable metal.—
Mack DeGeurin,
Popular Science,
30 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Lucy’s husband, Justin (Mark Coles Smith), is one of the journalists who trains his sights on Gibson as a safer target for frustration than his spouse, and out of a vain hope discrediting Gibson will persuade Lucy to resume chemotherapy.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
6 Feb. 2025
-
Privately, former officials who worked for Thao and other city officials have attempted to discredit Webb’s allegations, which have quietly raised eyebrows and skepticism around the town’s political circles for some time.—
Shomik Mukherjee,
The Mercury News,
2 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Spring is approaching, innuendo is blooming and the ceiling in the Rays clubhouse is dripping.—
John Romano,
Orlando Sentinel,
2 Feb. 2025
-
In making a film about his formative experiences, Lent uses subtle innuendos to arrive at complete clarity about sexuality without being obvious.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
23 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
The shift that pushed his art from workmanlike consistency to brilliance was letting these moods and sounds smudge.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
17 Jan. 2025
-
Spray it onto smudges and water spots before wiping it away with a cloth.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 Oct. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near smear
Cite this Entry
“Smear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smear. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share