51Թ

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View synonyms for

smear

[smeer]

verb (used with object)

  1. to spread or daub (an oily, greasy, viscous, or wet substance) on or over something.

    to smear butter on bread.

  2. to spread or daub an oily, greasy, viscous, or wet substance on.

    to smear bread with butter.

  3. to stain, spot, or make dirty with something oily, greasy, viscous, or wet.

  4. to sully, vilify, or soil (a reputation, good name, etc.).

  5. to smudge or blur, as by rubbing.

    The signature was smeared.

  6. Slang.to defeat decisively; overwhelm.

    They smeared the home team.



noun

  1. an oily, greasy, viscous, or wet substance, especially a dab of such a substance.

  2. a stain, spot, or mark made by such a substance.

  3. a smudge.

  4. something smeared or to be smeared on a thing, as a glaze for pottery.

  5. a small quantity of something spread thinly on a slide for microscopic examination.

  6. vilification.

    a smear by a cheap gossip columnist.

smear

/ ɪə /

verb

  1. to bedaub or cover with oil, grease, etc

  2. to rub over or apply thickly

  3. to rub so as to produce a smudge

  4. to slander

  5. slangto defeat completely

  6. (intr) to be or become smeared or dirtied

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. a dirty mark or smudge

    1. a slanderous attack

    2. ( as modifier )

      smear tactics

  2. a preparation of blood, secretions, etc, smeared onto a glass slide for examination under a microscope

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other 51Թ Forms

  • smearer noun
  • unsmeared adjective
  • ˈ𲹰 noun
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of smear1

before 900; (v.) Middle English smeren, smirien to rub with fat, anoint, Old English smirian, smerian, smerwan; cognate with Dutch smeren, German schmieren, Old Norse smyrja, smyrwa; (noun) in current senses derivative of the v.; compare obsolete smear fat, grease, ointment, Middle English smere, Old English smeoru, cognate with Dutch smear, German Schmer, Old Norse ǫ grease, Greek ý rubbing powder; emery
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of smear1

Old English smeoru (n); related to Old Norse ö fat, Old High German smero, Greek muron ointment
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Journalist Kat Tenbarge joins the conversation to discuss how online influencers fuel smear campaigns and how their videos serve as a gateway to conspiracy thinking and right-wing ideology.

From

Siddiq, a former Treasury minister, has denied the allegations and accused the Bangladeshi authorities of a "politically motivated smear campaign".

From

West Indies gamely approached the chase as Rovman Powell cracked an unbeaten 79 while captain Shai Hope smeared three sixes in his 45.

From

The FFC has argued that the sea blockade is illegal, characterising Katz's statement as an example of Israel threatening the unlawful use of force against civilians and "attempting to justify that violence with smears".

From

The FFC characterised the minister's statement as an example of Israel threatening the unlawful use of force against civilians and "attempting to justify that violence with smears".

From

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