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
Related Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of smear
Maria Briceño, Austin American Statesman, 10 Apr. 2025
The nonprofit health care organization now provides birth control, pap smears and other routine reproductive health care services at its clinics in Texas.
—Bayliss Wagner, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
Chloe Mayer, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025
In extreme cases, some parents will threaten to smear the therapist's name, leave bad reviews, complain to the licensing board, or even threaten the therapist’s physical safety.
—Sherri Gordon, Parents, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for smear
Verb
To avoid overconsumption of fluoride in children, the CDC recommends minimal fluoride use for children under 6. — just a grain-sized smear of toothpaste for kids under 3 and a pea-sized smear between ages 3 to 6.
—Maria Briceño, Austin American Statesman, 10 Apr. 2025
The nonprofit health care organization now provides birth control, pap smears and other routine reproductive health care services at its clinics in Texas.
—Bayliss Wagner, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
Noun
The assertion by certain anonymous users online is a typically out-of-context and absurd effort to create fake news for clicks and to smear.
—Chloe Mayer, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025
In extreme cases, some parents will threaten to smear the therapist's name, leave bad reviews, complain to the licensing board, or even threaten the therapist’s physical safety.
—Sherri Gordon, Parents, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for smear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smear
Verb
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Ratings As ever with modern-day viewing, ratings can paint a mixed picture.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
21 July 2025
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Those results are married to emails and interviews, and sometimes further testing – such as looking at supporting documentation – is necessary for painting a clearer picture.—
Jesse Silvertown,
Forbes.com,
21 July 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
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The use of obscene or profane language, personal attack, libel, slander, defamation, physical violence or the threat thereof, as determined by the presiding officer, shall constitute a disturbing a lawful meeting.—
Sharon Coolidge,
The Enquirer,
3 July 2025
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In a civil lawsuit alleging slander and libel, Eriksen said Christopher and Jessica Ikner were making false allegations against her and harassing her.—
Claire Healy,
Miami Herald,
18 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Curious how a simple coffee stain could inspire cutting-edge diagnostics and revolutionize at-home testing?—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
23 July 2025
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The Boll & Branch is more than durable linens, the Wood Frame bed is artisan-made of solid wood with maple and beechwood veneers that uses low VOC stains (oak-like bluff and dark espresso brown).—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
22 July 2025
Verb
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Except there’s a mystery, wrapped in an enigma, and coated in a puzzle.—
Irina Ivanova,
Fortune,
13 July 2025
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Chicken and waffles are also popular, and one waffle menu item comes coated in Fruity Pebbles breakfast cereal.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
11 July 2025
Verb
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What used to be fringe denialism has evolved into a sophisticated, and increasingly profitable, campaign to discredit science, undermine regulation, and politicize sustainability.—
Felicia Jackson,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
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The Chinese Communist Party has waged a decades-long campaign to discredit the current Dalai Lama and erase his presence from Tibetan life, while tightening restrictions on religious and cultural practices.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
3 July 2025
Noun
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For this event, Love Island has dispensed with the innuendos and just gone for a straightforward kink theme.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Vulture,
18 June 2025
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As del Toro and the audience immediately started to laugh, Clarkson realized the accidental innuendo.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
6 June 2025
Noun
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The rear panel is made of textured plastic that does a good job of preventing smudges and fingerprints, but the tablet can still be a bit slippery to hold.—
Sarah Lord,
PC Magazine,
1 July 2025
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Barbaro had set a small fire in the hallway using a pile of cardboard and, for extra measure, had lit a homemade smoke bomb (some reports refer to it as a smudge pot).—
Sally Ventura
June 23,
Literary Hub,
23 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Smear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smear. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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