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.

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