smear
verb (used with object)
to spread or daub (an oily, greasy, viscous, or wet substance) on or over something.
smearing
-
present participleof smear.present participle
A verb form that is used in progressive verb constructions and may also function as a modifier or a gerund.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Exiled Tibetans and advocacy groups have accused China of heavily underreporting the death toll from devastating flooding in border regions with Nepal, claims Beijing rejected as "malicious smearing and sensationalism".
From Barron's ● Sep. 1, 2026
Technicians then pour off the top layer and place a drop of the concentrated sediment onto a glass slide before smearing it evenly.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 5, 2026
But when he discovers a beehive, he shares the honey with his fellow prisoners by smearing it over his body.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 9, 2026
That's just ignorant smearing by someone who doesn't even know what habeas corpus is.
From Salon ● Jun. 2, 2025
Dupre looked at me and kicked something—a pound of butter, sending it smearing across the hot street.
From "Invisible Man" by Ralph Ellison
