smear

• Sustantivo con varios significados: acusación difamatoria destinada a dañar la reputación; capa fina de una sustancia, como una muestra de tejido o sangre, extendida sobre un portaobjetos para examen microscópico; mancha o rastro dejado por una sustancia sucia; o una acción que deshonra a quien la comete.

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.

   Difamación calumniosa

   • 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.

   Sinónimosaspersioncalumnydefamationdenigrationlibelslanderslurvilification

   Antónimosacclaimcommendationhomagepraisetribute

2. Medical sampleB2formalmedical

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

   Frotis

   • 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.

   Sinónimosfilm

3. Dirty markA2informal

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

   Mancha

   • 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.

   Sinónimosblemishblotmarksmirchsmudgesplotchspotstainstreak

   Antónimoscleanlinesscleanness

4. Discrediting actC1formal

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

   Difamación, calumnia

   • 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.

   Sinónimosaspersioncalumnydefamationlibelslanderslurvilification

   Antónimosacclaimcommendationhonorpraise

• Verbo que se usa para referirse a la acción de aplicar o extender una sustancia sobre una superficie, o para dañar la reputación de alguien difundiendo información falsa o malintencionada.

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.

   untar

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

   Sinónimosanointapplybedaubbesmearcoatcoverdaubplasterrubspread

   Antónimoscleanscrapewipe

2. Make a dirty markB1formal

   To cause a mark or stain by rubbing or smudging.

   manchar untando

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

   Sinónimosbesmearblotdaubdirtysmudgesoilstainstreak

   Antónimoscleanpurifyscrubwashwipe

3. B1formal

   To cover a surface by spreading a substance over it.

   untar

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

   Sinónimosapplycoatdaubplasterrubslatherspread

   Antónimoscleanscrapescrubwipe

4. Damage reputationB2formal

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

   Difamar

   • 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.

   Sinónimosaspersebesmirchblackencalumniatedefamedenigratedisparagelibelmalignslandertarnishtraducevilify

   Antónimoscommendhonorlaudpraise