smear

/smiə/
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smear

A scientist prepares a blood smear on a glass slide.

Definition

  1. Noun:

    • A dirty mark or stain: A visible mark left by something greasy, dirty, or wet on a surface.
    • A slanderous attack: An attempt to damage someone's reputation by spreading false or malicious accusations.
    • A thin layer of a substance: A sample of material (like blood or cells) spread thinly on a slide for microscopic examination.

  2. Verb:

    • To spread a substance: To coat or cover a surface by rubbing or spreading a soft, often messy, substance over it.
    • To make dirty or blurry: To leave a dirty mark or to make something unclear by smudging it.
    • To slander or defame: To make false and damaging statements about someone to harm their reputation.
Usage Examples

  • Noun:

    • There was a greasy smear on the window.
    • The politician dismissed the allegations as a vicious smear.
    • The lab technician prepared a blood smear for analysis.

  • Verb:

    • She smeared sunscreen on her arms.
    • The child's drawing was smeared when he rubbed his hand across it.
    • The newspaper article was an attempt to smear the company's CEO.
Advanced Usage

  • "Smear campaign": A coordinated effort to damage a person's or group's reputation with false or exaggerated claims.

    • The candidate was the target of a relentless smear campaign during the election.

  • "To smear someone's name/good name": To tarnish someone's reputation.

    • He was accused of trying to smear his rival's good name.
Variants and Related Words

  • Smear test (Pap smear) (n): A medical test for cervical cancer where cells are collected and spread on a slide.

    • It is important for women to have regular smear tests.

  • Smear word (n): A term used to discredit a person or idea.

    • "Elitist" is often used as a smear word in political debates.

  • Smearer (n): A person who smears or slanders.

Synonyms
  • Verb (to spread): Daub, coat, spread.
  • Verb (to slander): Defame, vilify, malign, libel.
  • Noun (stain): Smudge, blot, streak.
  • Noun (slander): Defamation, calumny, slur.
Related Phrasal Verbs/Constructions

  • Smear over: To spread something so that it covers a surface.

    • Smear the glue over the entire back of the paper.

  • Smear with: To cover a surface by applying a substance.

    • He smeared the bread with butter.
Related Idioms
  • A smear on one's character/reputation: A damaging accusation or incident that tarnishes how one is perceived.
    • The scandal left a permanent smear on his reputation.
smear

A scientist prepares a blood smear on a glass slide.

Noun
  1. an act that brings discredit to the person who does it
    • he made a huge blot on his copybook
  2. a blemish made by dirt
    • he had a smudge on his cheek
  3. a thin tissue or blood sample spread on a glass slide and stained for cytologic examination and diagnosis under a microscope
  4. slanderous defamation
Verb
  1. charge falsely or with malicious intent; attack the good name and reputation of someone
    • The journalists have defamed me! The article in the paper sullied my reputation
  2. cover (a surface) by smearing (a substance) over it
    • smear the wall with paint
    • daub the ceiling with plaster
  3. make a smudge on; soil by smudging
  4. stain by smearing or daubing with a dirty substance

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