I'd like to have a Pap smear done.
Source: tatoeba (245645)
Smear
/smiɚ/
Synonyms for "smear" (436 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (88)
Noun(22 words)
Verb(21 words)
anointsappliedapplies liquidapplyapply biologyapply methodasperseassassinatebadmouthedbefouledbesmirchbesmirchedbesmirchesblackenedblackensbloodiesblottedblurbutteredbutters
Show 1 more word
Strong matches (130)
calumnycensurechampaincharacter assassinationclobbercloudcoatcolorcomplexioncovercreamcurrydabdarkendaubdeep-dyedefamationdefamation of characterdefamedefeat utterly
Show 60 more words
defiledefilementdenigratedenigrationdiagnosisdipdirtydisapprovediscolordiscreditdisgracedishonordisparagedisparagementdistemperdouble-dyedressdrubdyeemblazonembrocateenamelengage in personalitiesengildexaminationexposeexpose to infamyeyesorefacefast-dyefleckflickflyspeckfoilfoulfrescofrustrategibbetgildglazeglossglycerolategraingreasegrease the wheelshang in effigyheap dirt uponhueilluminateimbueimputationingrainjapanlacquerlambastelardlay it on thicklay onlay on colorlibel
Related words (218)
Verb(26 words)
Noun(62 words)
libellinglibelsmalignermalignmentpamphleteerspap testpreparationred earth soilruinruinssalvessamplescandalmongerscreening testslanderslanderingslandersslapslatherslathering
Show 42 more words
slimeslingslursmearingsmirchsmirchessmudgessmudgingsmutssoil color examplesoil compositionsoil compositionssoil easilysoil frostsoil materialsoil moundsoil phsoil stainsoil the carpetsoil the clothessoil the product samplesoil the shirtsoiler splashessoilingsoilssplatsplatssplattingsplodgesplotchingspreadspreedstreakstreakingstreakssully credibilitytaintingtarnishestarnishingtarsvilificationvilifying
licklubricatemaculamaculationmaculemalicious defamationmalignmarkmark of cainmiremuckrakemuckrakingmudslingingname-callingoilonusoverbearoverlayoverrunoverspread
Show 106 more words
overwhelmpaintpargetpastepatchpigmentpillorypilloryingplasterpoint champainpomadeprimereflectionreprimandreproachrepulserevilerevilementrubsalvescandalscandalizeschmearscorchsearshadeshadowshameshellacshut outsingeskunkslanderslanderousslap onslatherslickslick onslop on paintslubberslursmear campaignsmear onsmear wordsmirchsmokesmooth the waysmothersmouchsmudgesmutsmutchsnow undersoap the wayssoilsoilagesoilurespatespatterspeckspecklesplashsplattersplotchspotspreadspread onspread withstainsteamrollerstigmastigmatismstigmatizationstigmatizestipplestreakstudysullytainttartarnishtear downtestthrashthrow mud attincttincturetingetinttonetrimundercoatunguenturinalysisvarnishvilificationvilifywashwaxwhelmwhipwhitewashwhompwhopwipework up
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: daub, smudge, spot, stain, aftershaves.
- Sentence evidence is available for smear, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from wordnet, opengloss, derived_reverse, moby, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "smear".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "smear"
Keep "smear" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "smear" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "smear", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "smear" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
36 entriesShowing 16 of 36 words.
More specific
14 entriesCollocations
10 entriesblood smearsmear acrosssmear buttersmear campaignsmear inksmear makeupsmear of paintsmear on clothingsmear paintsmear test
Inflections
3 entriesDerivations
4 entriessimilar
1 entriesSample sentences
56 total sentences available.
The ruling party is running a smear campaign against the opposition.
Source: tatoeba (324786)
Put them on the baking pan and smear them with egg whites.
Source: tatoeba (1159730)
"Father, in thy charge remain / Troy's gods; for me, red-handed with the smear / of blood, and fresh from slaughter, 'twere profane / to touch them, ere the stream hath cleansed me of the stain."
Source: tatoeba (6878685)
Showing 4 of 56 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "smear"?
Closest matches include daub, smudge, spot, stain, aftershaves.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "smear"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.