smear

• Substantiv mit mehreren Bedeutungen: eine verleumderische Anschuldigung, die darauf abzielt, den Ruf zu schädigen; eine dünne Schicht einer Substanz, z. B. einer Gewebe- oder Blutprobe, die für die mikroskopische Untersuchung auf einen Objektträger aufgetragen wird; ein Fleck oder eine Spur, die von einer schmutzigen Substanz hinterlassen wurde; oder eine Handlung, die den, der sie begeht, in Verruf bringt.

A noun with multiple meanings: a slanderous accusation intended to damage a reputation; a thin layer of a substance, such as a tissue or blood sample, spread on a slide for microscopic examination; a mark or stain made by a dirty substance; or an action that brings discredit upon the person who performs it.

1. Slanderous defamationB2formal

   A false and malicious statement intended to damage someone's reputation.

   Verleumdung

   • The politician accused his opponent of launching a smear campaign.
   • The article was a deliberate smear against the company's CEO.
   • She sued the newspaper for publishing a smear about her family.

   Synonymeaspersioncalumnydefamationdenigrationlibelslanderslurvilification

   Antonymeacclaimcommendationhomagepraisetribute

2. Medical sampleB2formalmedical

   A thin layer of tissue or bodily fluid spread on a glass slide for microscopic examination.

   Abstrich

   • The doctor took a cervical smear to check for abnormalities.
   • The lab technician prepared a blood smear for analysis.
   • A Pap smear is a routine test for detecting cervical cancer.

   Synonymefilm

3. Dirty markA2informal

   A stain or mark made by a greasy or sticky substance.

   Schmutzfleck

   • There was a smear of paint on his shirt.
   • She wiped the smear of jam off the table.
   • The window had a smear of dirt across it.

   Synonymeblemishblotmarksmirchsmudgesplotchspotstainstreak

   Antonymecleanlinesscleanness

4. Discrediting actC1formal

   An action that brings shame or dishonor to the person who performs it.

   Schande

   • His betrayal was a smear on his own character.
   • Spreading rumors is a smear on one's integrity.
   • The scandal was a smear that tarnished his reputation.

   Synonymeaspersioncalumnydefamationlibelslanderslurvilification

   Antonymeacclaimcommendationhonorpraise

• Verb, das das Auftragen einer Substanz auf eine Oberfläche bezeichnet oder das Schädigen des Rufs einer Person durch die Verbreitung falscher oder böswilliger Informationen.

A verb used to indicate the act of spreading a substance over a surface, or to damage someone's reputation by spreading false or malicious information.

1. Spread a substanceB1formal

   To spread a sticky or greasy substance over a surface.

   Bestreichen

   • She smeared butter on the bread.
   • He smeared paint across the canvas.
   • The child smeared jam all over the table.

   Synonymeanointapplybedaubbesmearcoatcoverdaubplasterrubspread

   Antonymecleanscrapewipe

2. Make a dirty markB1formal

   To cause a mark or stain by rubbing or smudging.

   Verschmieren

   • The ink smeared when I touched the paper.
   • Her mascara smeared from the rain.
   • He accidentally smeared the fresh paint with his sleeve.

   Synonymebesmearblotdaubdirtysmudgesoilstainstreak

   Antonymecleanpurifyscrubwashwipe

3. B1formal

   To cover a surface by spreading a substance over it.

   Bestreichen

   • She smeared sunscreen over her arms.
   • He smeared glue across the back of the photo.
   • The baker smeared icing over the cake.

   Synonymeapplycoatdaubplasterrubslatherspread

   Antonymecleanscrapescrubwipe

4. Damage reputationB2formal

   To make false and damaging statements about someone in order to harm their reputation.

   Verleumden

   • The politician tried to smear his opponent with false accusations.
   • They launched a smear campaign against the journalist.
   • She felt her character was being smeared by the rumors.

   Synonymeaspersebesmirchblackencalumniatedefamedenigratedisparagelibelmalignslandertarnishtraducevilify

   Antonymecommendhonorlaudpraise