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Blacken vs Smear - What's the difference?

blacken | smear | Synonyms |

Blacken is a synonym of smear.


In lang=en terms the difference between blacken and smear

is that blacken is to become black while smear is to become spread by smearing.

As verbs the difference between blacken and smear

is that blacken is to make black while smear is to spread (a substance, especially one that colours or is dirty) across a surface by rubbing.

As a noun smear is

a mark made by smearing.

blacken

English

Verb

(en verb)
  • To make black.
  • To make dirty.
  • To defame or sully.
    • Malice delights to blacken the characters of prominent men. — Napoleon Bonaparte
  • To cook (meat or fish) by coating with pepper, etc., and quickly searing in a hot pan.
  • To become black.
    • The sky blackened as the storm clouds rolled in.

    Synonyms

    * (make black ): black, denigrate * (make dirty ): dirty, soil * (defame ): defame, denigrate, sully, taint, tarnish

    smear

    English

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To spread (a substance, especially one that colours or is dirty) across a surface by rubbing.
    • The artist smeared paint over the canvas in broad strokes.
  • To have a substance smeared on (a surface).
    • She smeared her lips with lipstick.
  • To damage someone's reputation by slandering, misrepresenting, or otherwise making false accusations about an individual, their statements, or their actions.
    • ''The opposition party attempted to smear the candidate by spreading incorrect and unverifiable rumors about their personal behavior.
  • To become spread by smearing.
    • The paint is still wet — don't touch it or it will smear .
  • To climb without using footholds, using the friction from the shoe to stay on the wall.

    • Synonyms

    * spread * (have a substance smeared on) coat, cover, layer

    Derived terms

    * smearer

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A mark made by smearing.
    • This detergent cleans windows without leaving smears .
  • (medicine) A Pap smear.
    • I'm going to the doctor's this afternoon for a smear .
  • A false attack.
  • A maneuver in which the shoe is placed onto the holdless rock, and the friction from the shoe keeps it in contact
  • A rough glissando in jazz music.

    • Synonyms

    * (mark) streak * (Pap smear) Pap smear, Pap test

    Derived terms

    * cervical smear * smear campaign * smear case

    Anagrams

    * * * * English ergative verbs