smear

To spread a soft or wet substance across a surface by rubbing it.

• Smear butter on the bread.
• The children smeared paint across the paper.
• Someone had smeared the window with grease.

How to use it: smear something on something (She smeared cream on her hands.); smear something with something (He smeared the bread with butter.)

Similar words: spread, daub

Common phrases: smear something on something, smear with something, smear butter

To tell lies about someone to make other people think badly of them.

• They tried to smear her.
• The newspaper smeared his name with false stories.
• Why are his opponents smearing him online?

Similar words: defame, slander, malign

Common phrases: smear someone, smear someone’s name, smear an opponent

To spread accidentally so that a mark or surface becomes messy or unclear.

• The wet ink smeared.
• Her mascara smeared when she cried.
• This paint will smear if you touch it now.

Similar words: smudge, blur

Common phrases: smear easily, smear when wet, smear across something

A messy mark left when a soft or wet substance spreads across a surface.

• A greasy smear covered the glass.
• She wiped the smears off the mirror.
• He left a smear of ink on the page.

How to use it: a smear of something (There was a smear of chocolate on his cheek.)

Similar words: smudge, streak

Common phrases: a smear of something, greasy smear, lipstick smear

A false or unproven statement meant to make people think badly of someone.

• That claim is a smear.
• He denied the latest political smear.
• The smear campaign damaged her reputation.

How to use it: a smear against someone (She dismissed the claim as a smear against her family.)

Similar words: slander, defamation, calumny

Common phrases: smear campaign, political smear, smear against someone