smear
smear Lexical Profile
smear Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A mark, streak, or stain made by rubbing a greasy, wet, or sticky substance over a surface.
"There was a faint smear of chocolate near the corner of the child's mouth."
A false or malicious accusation intended to damage a person's reputation.
"The candidate dismissed the tabloid article as a politically motivated smear."
A thin sample of blood, tissue, or other bodily fluid spread on a glass slide for microscopic examination.
"The laboratory technician prepared a blood smear to check for abnormalities in the cells."
• verb
To coat, mark, or stain a surface carelessly or messily with a greasy, sticky, or wet substance.
"The toddler managed to smear peanut butter all over the kitchen table."
To become blurred, smudged, or messy when rubbed or touched (of ink, makeup, or paint).
"Wait a moment for the ink to dry so that your signature does not smear."
To damage the reputation of someone by making false or malicious accusations.
"Opponents attempted to smear the whistleblower's credibility before the hearing."
• Rhymes for smear
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English 'smerian' (to anoint or rub with fat), derived from 'smeru' (fat, grease, or tallow), sharing Proto-Germanic roots with German 'schmieren' and Yiddish 'schmear'.