Antonyms for smear

Grammar : Verb

Spell : smeer

Phonetic Transcription : smɪər

Definition of smear

Origin : Old English smerian, smierwan "to anoint or rub with grease, oil, etc.," from Proto-Germanic *smerwjan "to spread grease on" (cf. Old Norse smyrja "to anoint, rub with ointment," Danish smøre, Swedish smörja, Dutch smeren, Old High German smirwen "apply salve, smear," German schmieren "to smear;" Old Norse smör "butter"), from PIE *smeru- "grease" (cf. Greek myron "unguent, balsam," Old Irish smi(u)r "marrow," Old English smeoru "fat, grease, ointment, tallow, lard, suet," Lithuanian smarsas "fat").
Figurative sense of "assault a public reputation with unsubstantiated charges" is from 1879. Related: Smeared; smearing. Smear-word, one used regardless of its literal meaning but invested with invective, is from 1938.

verb rub on, spread over
verb tarnish a reputation

Example sentences :

The eye could not detect one creature in the group free from the smear of blood.
Extract from : « A Tale of Two Cities » by Charles Dickens

But it is very improper for such folk to smear themselves with civet.
Extract from : « Albert Durer » by T. Sturge Moore

Or write with a solution of muriate of antimony, and smear the writing over with a feather dipped in a solution of galls.
Extract from : « The Cook and Housekeeper's Complete and Universal Dictionary; Including a System of Modern Cookery, in all Its Various Branches, » by Mary Eaton

Fasten each firmly with a small skewer, smear them over with egg, fry them of a fine brown, and pour a rich brown gravy over.
Extract from : « The Cook and Housekeeper's Complete and Universal Dictionary; Including a System of Modern Cookery, in all Its Various Branches, » by Mary Eaton

And what's more, I'll use whatever you're trying, to smear you with.
Extract from : « Zero Data » by Charles Saphro

Oh,” said the wolf, “I need some tar to smear my coat so that the dogs cannot catch me.
Extract from : « Boys and Girls Bookshelf (Vol 2 of 17) » by Various

Oh,” said the fox, “I need some tar to smear my coat so that the dogs cannot catch me.
Extract from : « Boys and Girls Bookshelf (Vol 2 of 17) » by Various

His face was a smear of blood, venom, and all the bandit passions.
Extract from : « Garrison's Finish » by W. B. M. Ferguson

A trail of purple, like a smear of blood on a blue shield, lay over the sea.
Extract from : « The Rescue » by Joseph Conrad

He maintained his gravity: “Would you be kind 218 enough to take a smear and let me look?”
Extract from : « The Crimson Tide » by Robert W. Chambers

Synonyms for smear

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019