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smear
/smɪr/
to spread a substance
She smeared butter on the toast.
She spread butter over the toast.
informal
To spread or apply a thick, greasy, or liquid substance onto a surface.
He smeared paint across the canvas.
He spread paint over the canvas.
The child smeared jam on the table.
The child spread jam on the table.
Often followed by the preposition 'on' when indicating the surface.
informal
To damage a person's reputation by making false or harmful statements.
The politician tried to smear his opponent with rumors.
The politician attempted to damage his opponent's reputation with rumors.
She felt hurt after the tabloid smeared her name.
She felt hurt after the tabloid spread false accusations about her.
Commonly appears in the phrase 'smear campaign'.
English Dictionary