SMEAR Synonyms: 94 Similar and Opposite Words

smear 1 of 2

verb

Definition of smear

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

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

as in slander

Related Words

as in stain

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

vision

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

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

Though stains on clothes can be permanent, the tomatoes' citric acid acts as a cleaning agent, often leaving Buñol’s streets cleaner than before.

— ABC News, ABC News, 26 Aug. 2026
Key Takeaways Clean your bathtub weekly to prevent soap scum, stains, and hard water buildup.

— Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of stain

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

Browse Nearby Words

smatters

smear

smeared

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Style

“Smear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smear. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of smear

verb

noun

Example Sentences

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