besmear

[ bih-smeer ]

verb (used with object)

1. to smear all over; bedaub.
2. to sully; defile; soil:

   to besmear someone's reputation.

besmear

/ bɪˈsmɪə /

verb

1. to smear over; daub
2. to sully; defile (often in the phrase besmear ( a person's ) reputation )

Other Words From

• be·smearer noun
• unbe·smeared adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of besmear¹

before 1050; Middle English bismeren, Old English besmerian. See be-, smear

Example Sentences

His intensity of loathing leads him to besmear his antagonists with filth.

From Project Gutenberg

Was it honour and fair play to besmear my mother's name, to throw reflections upon my birth?

From Project Gutenberg

They fashion his image of kadamb7 wood and besmear it with red lead.

From Project Gutenberg

Madame Boche, in her turn, caught sight of Lantier and uttered a faint cry without ceasing to besmear her face with her tears.

From Project Gutenberg

The reverse of besmear is to rub off; hence to obliterate means to rub out, to erase.

From Project Gutenberg