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smear

smear

 
 
pronunciation:
smir
parts of speech:
transitive verb, intransitive verb, noun
features:
Word Combinations (verb, noun)
part of speech: transitive verb
inflections: smears, smearing, smeared
definition 1: to spread or apply (a sticky, oily, or greasy substance) on or over a surface.
He smeared some butter on his cracker.
synonyms:
slap on, spread
similar words:
apply, daub, layer
definition 2: to coat or spread with something sticky, greasy, or oily.
She smeared the children's faces with suntan lotion.
synonyms:
coat, daub
similar words:
dope, grease
definition 3: to dirty or stain by or as if by applying a sticky or greasy substance to.
He leaned over the table and smeared his tie with jam.
synonyms:
begrime, dirty, smudge, soil
similar words:
bedaub, daub, muck, stain
definition 4: to damage the reputation or name of, esp. by unsubstantiated claims.
His opponent smeared him in his campaign advertising.
synonyms:
calumniate, defame, libel, slander
similar words:
defile, malign, spatter, stain, stigmatize, sully, vilify, wrong
definition 5: (slang) to defeat decisively; whip.
Nobody thought they could win, but they smeared 'em!
synonyms:
clobber, cream, drub, massacre, shellac, thrash, trounce, whip, whomp
similar words:
beat, defeat, lather, lick, overwhelm, rout, skunk
 
part of speech: intransitive verb
definition: to be or become spread or smudged on or over a surface.
She took a bite of the sandwich and her lipstick smeared.
synonyms:
smudge
similar words:
daub, run, spread, stain
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
 
part of speech: noun
definition 1: a mark or spot made by spreading a sticky or greasy substance over a surface; smudge.
The glass still had a lipstick smear on it when it came out of the dishwasher.
synonyms:
smirch, smudge, stain
definition 2: something that is smeared on a surface, esp. a sample or preparation applied to a microscope slide for examination.
The researcher examined the smear under the microscope.
definition 3: a usu. unfounded accusation or charge designed to damage someone's reputation; defamation.
The story about him was just a smear but it did great damage to his reputation.
synonyms:
calumny, defamation, libel, slander, smirch, stain
similar words:
malediction, taint
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
derivation: smearer (n.)