smear

• Nom avec plusieurs sens : une accusation calomnieuse destinée à nuire à la réputation ; une fine couche de substance, comme un échantillon de tissu ou de sang, étalée sur une lame pour examen au microscope ; une tache ou une traînée laissée par une substance sale ; ou une action qui déshonore celui qui la commet.

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.

   Diffamation calomnieuse

   • 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.

   Synonymesaspersioncalumnydefamationdenigrationlibelslanderslurvilification

   Antonymesacclaimcommendationhomagepraisetribute

2. Medical sampleB2formalmedical

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

   frottis

   • 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.

   Synonymesfilm

3. Dirty markA2informal

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

   tache (grasse)

   • 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.

   Synonymesblemishblotmarksmirchsmudgesplotchspotstainstreak

   Antonymescleanlinesscleanness

4. Discrediting actC1formal

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

   Diffamation, calomnie

   • 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.

   Synonymesaspersioncalumnydefamationlibelslanderslurvilification

   Antonymesacclaimcommendationhonorpraise

• Verbe utilisé pour désigner l'action d'étaler une substance sur une surface, ou pour nuire à la réputation de quelqu'un en propageant des informations fausses ou malveillantes.

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.

   étaler

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

   Synonymesanointapplybedaubbesmearcoatcoverdaubplasterrubspread

   Antonymescleanscrapewipe

2. Make a dirty markB1formal

   To cause a mark or stain by rubbing or smudging.

   tacher en étalant

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

   Synonymesbesmearblotdaubdirtysmudgesoilstainstreak

   Antonymescleanpurifyscrubwashwipe

3. B1formal

   To cover a surface by spreading a substance over it.

   Étaler, badigeonner

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

   Synonymesapplycoatdaubplasterrubslatherspread

   Antonymescleanscrapescrubwipe

4. Damage reputationB2formal

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

   Diffamer, calomnier

   • 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.

   Synonymesaspersebesmirchblackencalumniatedefamedenigratedisparagelibelmalignslandertarnishtraducevilify

   Antonymescommendhonorlaudpraise