1
a
: a viscous or sticky substance
b
: a spot made by or as if by an unctuous or adhesive substance
2
3
: a usually unsubstantiated charge or accusation against a person or organization
—often used attributively
a smear campaign
a smear job
smeared; smearing; smears
1
a
: to overspread with something unctuous, viscous, or adhesive : daub
smeared the paper with glue
b
: to spread over a surface
2
3
: to obliterate, obscure, blur, blend, wipe out, or defeat by or as if by smearing
smearer
noun
Examples of smear in a Sentence
Noun
The blood smear revealed malaria.
Verb
The children smeared the window with fingerprints.
She smeared jam on her toast.
Butter was smeared all over the counter.
Her mascara smeared when she cried.
Recent Examples on the Web
Newsweek Contributors, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
But in 1895, a ruthless public smear campaign hinging on Wilde’s queerness led to the author’s imprisonment, outing, and eventual exile.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2025
Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2025
Supervisor Kate Brophy McGee said the audit was purposefully designed to smear the Sheriff's Office.
—Richard Ruelas, AZCentral.com, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smear
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Noun
Calling President Trump a dictator isn’t a smear, but an accurate reflection of his incendiary actions.
—Newsweek Contributors, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
But in 1895, a ruthless public smear campaign hinging on Wilde’s queerness led to the author’s imprisonment, outing, and eventual exile.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2025
Verb
Robert returns to his desk only to find that Invisigal had stolen him a donut as a gesture of good faith, which is now smeared all over his keyboard for the new janitor, Water Boy, to clean by vomiting H20 on the mess.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2025
Supervisor Kate Brophy McGee said the audit was purposefully designed to smear the Sheriff's Office.
—Richard Ruelas, AZCentral.com, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smear
Cite this Entry
“Smear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/smear. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
smear
2 of 2 verb1
a
: to spread with something oily or sticky
b
: to spread over a surface
2
a
: to stain, smudge, or dirty by or as if by smearing
b
: to harm the reputation of
3
: to blot out or blur by or as if by smearing
smearer
noun
Medical Definition
smear
1 of 2 noun
: material spread on a surface (as of a microscopic slide)
also
: a preparation made by spreading material on a surface see pap smear, vaginal smear
smear
2 of 2 transitive verb
: to prepare as a smear for microscopic examination : make a smear of
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