as in to stain
to make dirty
she accidentally smudged her collar with the lipstick
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in stain
a mark of guilt or disgrace
the president's spouse must not have the slightest smudge of scandal
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of smudge
Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Dec. 2024
But the Times reported a fingerprint on the bottle was too smudged to help the investigation.
—Donovan Slack, USA TODAY, 7 Dec. 2024
Eric Baculinao, NBC News, 31 Oct. 2024
The outside of these types of receptacles need a bit of buffing with a dry microfiber towel to rid of fingerprints, smudges, and stains.
—Lauren Wicks, Southern Living, 23 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for smudge 
Verb
Lipstick If your guests' holiday glam leaves your napkins smudged with lipstick, start by treating the stain with liquid laundry detergent.
—Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Dec. 2024
But the Times reported a fingerprint on the bottle was too smudged to help the investigation.
—Donovan Slack, USA TODAY, 7 Dec. 2024
Noun
Then each entered a blower unit, where fans sent a pulse of air to clean potential contamination.
Inside the cavern where the sphere lies, workers climbed railings and beams carrying flashlights and wiped down smudges.
—Eric Baculinao, NBC News, 31 Oct. 2024
The outside of these types of receptacles need a bit of buffing with a dry microfiber towel to rid of fingerprints, smudges, and stains.
—Lauren Wicks, Southern Living, 23 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for smudge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smudge
Verb
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Make Glass Shower Doors Sparkle The entire aesthetic of your bathroom can take a big hit the moment your glass shower door begins to look streaky, stained, or foggy.—
Katelyn Squiers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 Jan. 2025
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As Shilpa notes though, the plastic has a tendency to stain, especially when slicing carrots or beets.—
Wilder Davies,
Bon Appétit,
23 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Such stories also give permission to new forms, while protecting designs from too strong a taint of faddishness, or of strenuous icon-making.—
Ian Parker,
The New Yorker,
20 Jan. 2025
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While Weiss had rejected any taint of politics in his approach, the investigation was the subject of much congressional scrutiny.—
Rebecca Beitsch,
The Hill,
13 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Instead of dirtying a larger pot for your supporting dishes, this quaint cooker will come in handy for quick (or slower simmering) concoctions while matching your kitchen atmosphere.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Jan. 2025
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Having dirtied himself in the catacombs beneath the papacy’s home, our scrappy archaeologist emerges into none other than a resplendent re-creation of the Sistine Chapel.—
Lewis Gordon,
Vulture,
18 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Unfair to ex-felons One of the worst blots on Bondi’s résumé was one of her first acts as attorney general.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
14 Jan. 2025
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Red Wine or Dark-Colored Food Stains As quickly as possible, lift away any solids and blot, blot, blot away the moisture.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
28 Oct. 2024
Verb
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The charred footprint of the Eaton fire, which blackened more than 14,000 acres, is the most worrisome.—
Alene Tchekmedyian,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Jan. 2025
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In one corner, fires from ancient rituals had left the limestone ceiling blackened by soot.—
Gina DeCaprio Vercesi,
Travel + Leisure,
23 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Smudge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smudge. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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