Smear
verb
To spread a soft or liquid substance on a surface.
She smeared butter on the toast.
Often appears as...
- smear on
- smear across
verb
To damage someone's character or reputation by spreading false stories about them.
The politician tried to smear his rival.
Often appears as...
- smear campaign
- smear tactics
Usage tips
Disapproving
verb
To become spread over a surface in an untidy and/or less sharp way.
His handwriting smeared because of the rain.
Often appears as...
- smear across
- smear over
noun
An untrue story or piece of information spread in order to harm someone's reputation.
They spread smears about her past.
Often appears as...
- smear campaign
- unfounded smear
Usage tips
Disapproving
noun
A mark or stain made by a soft or wet substance being spread.
She accidently left a smear of ink on the paper.
Often appears as...
- smear of mud
- smear of blood
noun
A sample of cells taken for medical examination.
The doctor took a smear to test for cancer.
Often appears as...
- cell smear
- smear test
Usage tips
Technical
verb
To spread a soft or liquid substance on a surface.
She smeared butter on the toast.
Often appears as...
- smear on
- smear across
verb
To damage someone's character or reputation by spreading false stories about them.
The politician tried to smear his rival.
Often appears as...
- smear campaign
- smear tactics
Usage tips
Disapproving
verb
To become spread over a surface in an untidy and/or less sharp way.
His handwriting smeared because of the rain.
Often appears as...
- smear across
- smear over
noun
An untrue story or piece of information spread in order to harm someone's reputation.
They spread smears about her past.
Often appears as...
- smear campaign
- unfounded smear
Usage tips
Disapproving
noun
A mark or stain made by a soft or wet substance being spread.
She accidently left a smear of ink on the paper.
Often appears as...
- smear of mud
- smear of blood
noun
A sample of cells taken for medical examination.
The doctor took a smear to test for cancer.
Often appears as...
- cell smear
- smear test
Usage tips
Technical
Definition 1 of 6
Pro Tip 1/2Physical Action
Use 'smear' to describe the action of spreading a substance with motion.
While painting, he smeared blue color all over the canvas.
Pro Tip 2/2Intentional Spread
Usually involves doing it on purpose, not by accident.
She deliberately smeared sunscreen on her face.
Pro Tip 1/2Physical Action
Use 'smear' to describe the action of spreading a substance with motion.
While painting, he smeared blue color all over the canvas.
Pro Tip 2/2Intentional Spread
Usually involves doing it on purpose, not by accident.
She deliberately smeared sunscreen on her face.
Pro Tip 1/2Physical Action
Use 'smear' to describe the action of spreading a substance with motion.
While painting, he smeared blue color all over the canvas.
Pro Tip 2/2Intentional Spread
Usually involves doing it on purpose, not by accident.
She deliberately smeared sunscreen on her face.
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Video examples
How I climbed a...
There were no cracks or edges to hold on to, just small ripples of texture up a slightly less than vertical wall. I had to trust my life to the friction between my climbing shoes and the smooth granite. I carefully balanced my way upward, shifting my weight back and forth between the small smears.
Video examples
Safari Live - Day 76 PIPE...
have seen a little bit of white on my face and on my ears well it is that time of year in South Africa and in southern Africa and in Africa in general when we do get very sunburnt especially us with much larger complexion and I did see the other day that Scotto said smeared on
Video examples
A simple birth kit for...
But to confirm my instincts, I went back to the women, some of whom had the experience of using this product. Lo and behold, they had the same reaction and more. The women said they would rather deliver on a floor than on a plastic sheet that smeared blood all over.
Video examples
The most common STI in...
In some cases, the affected tissue may be removed. HPV infections of the throat may lead to head and neck cancers, but for now there’s no equivalent of the pap smear for the throat. Using condoms helps prevent the spread of HPV during sex.
Video examples
What happens to people...
like banging their heads on the walls of their cells or smearing themselves with feces. Or attempting suicide, some of them successfully. Many people cut themselves just to feel the pain that keeps them tethered to the real world.
Video examples
125th Anniversary...
by smearing crushed up ready eppa and elephant dung on the fences around the crops and it's actually eating your plants away we got a question in from Joe in Florida a Bob I'll direct this to you he said have you ever had a moment
Video examples
Zombie Parasites PIPE Nat...
and on top of that, they actually smear this disinfecting substance on the inside of the cockroach to keep it from rotting. This is a horsehair worm, it's using its host as both housing and transportation. So in this case,
Video examples
4 Powerful Poems about...
Uncover what I'd hint at if I could. Be my guest, do your best, harvest me, track the clues. This was a good brain while alive. This was a brain that paid its dues. So slice me, dice me, smear me on your slides,
Video examples
Top 5 Reindeer Moments PIPE...
wonderland finally with the skies completely clear i get a glimpse of the phenomenon i've been searching for it's not what i was expecting it's just like a big smear across the sky
Video examples
The enchanting music of...
TBA, to be announced. And you notice the staff -- there are no notes contained in the lines. That's because the lines already contain sound through the subtle smudges and smears.
Video examples
How I climbed a...
There were no cracks or edges to hold on to, just small ripples of texture up a slightly less than vertical wall. I had to trust my life to the friction between my climbing shoes and the smooth granite. I carefully balanced my way upward, shifting my weight back and forth between the small smears.
Video examples
Safari Live - Day 76 PIPE...
have seen a little bit of white on my face and on my ears well it is that time of year in South Africa and in southern Africa and in Africa in general when we do get very sunburnt especially us with much larger complexion and I did see the other day that Scotto said smeared on
Video examples
A simple birth kit for...
But to confirm my instincts, I went back to the women, some of whom had the experience of using this product. Lo and behold, they had the same reaction and more. The women said they would rather deliver on a floor than on a plastic sheet that smeared blood all over.
Video examples
The most common STI in...
In some cases, the affected tissue may be removed. HPV infections of the throat may lead to head and neck cancers, but for now there’s no equivalent of the pap smear for the throat. Using condoms helps prevent the spread of HPV during sex.
Video examples
What happens to people...
like banging their heads on the walls of their cells or smearing themselves with feces. Or attempting suicide, some of them successfully. Many people cut themselves just to feel the pain that keeps them tethered to the real world.
Video examples
125th Anniversary...
by smearing crushed up ready eppa and elephant dung on the fences around the crops and it's actually eating your plants away we got a question in from Joe in Florida a Bob I'll direct this to you he said have you ever had a moment
Video examples
Zombie Parasites PIPE Nat...
and on top of that, they actually smear this disinfecting substance on the inside of the cockroach to keep it from rotting. This is a horsehair worm, it's using its host as both housing and transportation. So in this case,
Video examples
4 Powerful Poems about...
Uncover what I'd hint at if I could. Be my guest, do your best, harvest me, track the clues. This was a good brain while alive. This was a brain that paid its dues. So slice me, dice me, smear me on your slides,
Video examples
Top 5 Reindeer Moments PIPE...
wonderland finally with the skies completely clear i get a glimpse of the phenomenon i've been searching for it's not what i was expecting it's just like a big smear across the sky
Video examples
The enchanting music of...
TBA, to be announced. And you notice the staff -- there are no notes contained in the lines. That's because the lines already contain sound through the subtle smudges and smears.
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Stephen J. Dubner
American Journalist
Most laws that we make to protect people from guns are usually ignored by the criminals and obeyed by the law-abiding people. And so I think that if you had better data, there'd be no one more in favor of it than law abiding gun owners because they don't want to be smeared and lumped in with the criminals who use guns.
Quote examples
Mehdi Hasan
British Journalist
Every morning, I take a deep breath and then go online to discover what new insult or smear has been thrown in my direction. Whether it's tweets, blogposts or comment threads, the abuse is as relentless as it is vicious.
Quote examples
Anat Cohen
American Musician
My younger brother Avishai was my first influence. He picked up the trumpet, and I listened to him. The way he played - with the half valves and the smears - made me want to play like him.
Quote examples
Kasie Hunt
American Journalist
Being respected by people on both sides of the aisle is really important to me - even in an age when giving a hearing to 'both sides' is considered a smear in some corners.
Quote examples
Marianne Williamson
American Author
I know politics is emotionally brutal; I've already had experience with the reality of smear campaigns, so I understand there will not be a path of roses laid before me.
Quote examples
Beny Steinmetz
Israeli Businessman
It angers me that a timed, planned and paid smearing campaign is run against me in the press.
Quote examples
James Comey
American Public Servant
We investigate in secret so that we don't smear innocent people.
Quote examples
Howard Finster
American Artist
You can't smear acrylics, you know, it dries too fast.
Quote examples
Aubrey O'Day
American Musician
My theory on smear pieces is try and win 'em over.
Quote examples
Wayne LaPierre
American Activist
Socialism is a movement that loves a smear.
Quote examples
Stephen J. Dubner
American Journalist
Most laws that we make to protect people from guns are usually ignored by the criminals and obeyed by the law-abiding people. And so I think that if you had better data, there'd be no one more in favor of it than law abiding gun owners because they don't want to be smeared and lumped in with the criminals who use guns.
Quote examples
Mehdi Hasan
British Journalist
Every morning, I take a deep breath and then go online to discover what new insult or smear has been thrown in my direction. Whether it's tweets, blogposts or comment threads, the abuse is as relentless as it is vicious.
Quote examples
Anat Cohen
American Musician
My younger brother Avishai was my first influence. He picked up the trumpet, and I listened to him. The way he played - with the half valves and the smears - made me want to play like him.
Quote examples
Kasie Hunt
American Journalist
Being respected by people on both sides of the aisle is really important to me - even in an age when giving a hearing to 'both sides' is considered a smear in some corners.
Quote examples
Marianne Williamson
American Author
I know politics is emotionally brutal; I've already had experience with the reality of smear campaigns, so I understand there will not be a path of roses laid before me.
Quote examples
Beny Steinmetz
Israeli Businessman
It angers me that a timed, planned and paid smearing campaign is run against me in the press.
Quote examples
James Comey
American Public Servant
We investigate in secret so that we don't smear innocent people.
Quote examples
Howard Finster
American Artist
You can't smear acrylics, you know, it dries too fast.
Quote examples
Aubrey O'Day
American Musician
My theory on smear pieces is try and win 'em over.
Quote examples
Wayne LaPierre
American Activist
Socialism is a movement that loves a smear.
Example 1 of 10
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