as in to stain
to make dirty
she accidentally smudged her collar with the lipstick
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in stain
a mark of guilt or disgrace
the president's spouse must not have the slightest smudge of scandal
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of smudge
PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024
Take a peek in the mirror four or five hours after to see what’s smudged or has worn off completely.
—Sophia Panych, Allure, 28 Oct. 2024
Deanna Pai, Allure, 25 Sep. 2024
This waterproof mascara has a long-lasting color that resists smudges and clumps throughout the day.
—Mia Meltzer, Rolling Stone, 20 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for smudge 
Verb
The distinctive body is well suited for left-handed users as well as righties, but the hyper-glossy exterior is prone to smudging.
—PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024
Take a peek in the mirror four or five hours after to see what’s smudged or has worn off completely.
—Sophia Panych, Allure, 28 Oct. 2024
Noun
Unlike traditional mascaras that tend to transfer, smudge, and flake—all while calling for a tug-of-war during removal—tubing mascaras contain film-forming polymers to keep lashes separated and securely coated all day.
—Deanna Pai, Allure, 25 Sep. 2024
This waterproof mascara has a long-lasting color that resists smudges and clumps throughout the day.
—Mia Meltzer, Rolling Stone, 20 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for smudge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smudge
Verb
-
In conducting the study, the team also developed a new technique to stain collagen fibers to analyze their impact on the skin’s mechanics.Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Dec. 2024
-
This particular query came (stop it) during a recent interview with Variety where Daniel Craig asked if a shot of sheets stained with semen was kept in the final cut’s establishing scene.David Opie, IndieWire, 7 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
The sordid origin story of infidelity that explains Elphaba’s birth and dysfunctional family taints everything that follows.Armond White, National Review, 27 Nov. 2024
-
But their chances of finding employment or a project or business to invest in remain slim, owing to their citizenship and the taint of the Russian corporate world.Andrei Soldatov, Foreign Affairs, 13 May 2022
Verb
-
Instead, Walz seems to have little to say about factory farming dirtying the state’s waterways.Kenny Torrella, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018
-
Garments can be dirtied again by the elements if air-dried outside.Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 July 2024
Noun
-
For coffee stains on carpet, blot the spill first to soak up as much liquid as possible.Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Dec. 2024
-
For machine-washable cloth, blot excess liquids and scrape off (don’t rub) food residue.Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
But the task has been performed so many times that dust and metal from the robot’s fingers have blackened the edges.James Somers, The New Yorker, 25 Nov. 2024
-
The fire burned for 64 days, blackening 429,603 acres in Butte and Tehama counties and destroying 709 homes and other structures.Paul Rogers, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024
Articles Related to smudge
Thesaurus Entries Near smudge
Cite this Entry
“Smudge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smudge. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share