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to smear
01
to spread a substance over a surface in a messy or uneven manner
Transitive: to smear a substance across a surface | to smear a substance on a surface
Examples
She accidentally smeared ink across the page, leaving a messy blot.
02
to tarnish someone's reputation with unfounded or malicious claims
Transitive: to smear a person or their reputation
Examples
The tabloid newspaper attempted to smear the politician's reputation with baseless allegations of corruption.
03
to spread a dirty or unclean substance over a surface, resulting in a stain or discoloration
Transitive: to smear a surface | to smear a surface with a dirty substance
Examples
The children 's hands were smeared with colorful markers after a day of crafting and drawing.
04
(climbing) to use the friction of one's shoe against the rock surface to gain traction and support
Intransitive
Examples
He had to smear on the smooth rock face to find purchase.
Smear
01
an act that brings discredit to the person who does it
02
a blemish made by dirt
03
a thin tissue or blood sample spread on a glass slide and stained for cytologic examination and diagnosis under a microscope
04
slanderous defamation
