Smear vs Libel - What's the difference?
smear | libel |
To spread (a substance, especially one that colours or is dirty) across a surface by rubbing.
To have a substance smeared on (a surface).
To damage someone's reputation by slandering, misrepresenting, or otherwise making false accusations about an individual, their statements, or their actions.
To become spread by smearing.
To climb without using footholds, using the friction from the shoe to stay on the wall.
A mark made by smearing.
(medicine) A Pap 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.
A written or pictorial statement which unjustly seeks to damage someone's reputation.
(uncountable) The act or crime of displaying such a statement publicly.
Any defamatory writing; a lampoon; a satire.
(law) A written declaration or statement by the plaintiff of his cause of action, and of the relief he seeks.
A brief writing of any kind, especially a declaration, bill, certificate, request, supplication, etc.
* Wyclif Bible (Matthew v. 31)
To defame someone, especially in a manner that meets the legal definition of libel.
* Alexander Pope
(legal) To proceed against (a ship, goods, etc.) by filing a libel.
In lang=en terms the difference between smear and libel
is that smear is to become spread by smearing while libel is to defame someone, especially in a manner that meets the legal definition of libel.As verbs the difference between smear and libel
is that smear is to spread (a substance, especially one that colours or is dirty) across a surface by rubbing while libel is to defame someone, especially in a manner that meets the legal definition of libel.As nouns the difference between smear and libel
is that smear is a mark made by smearing while libel is a written or pictorial statement which unjustly seeks to damage someone's reputation.smear
English
Verb
(en verb)- The artist smeared paint over the canvas in broad strokes.
- She smeared her lips with lipstick.
- ''The opposition party attempted to smear the candidate by spreading incorrect and unverifiable rumors about their personal behavior.
- The paint is still wet — don't touch it or it will smear .
Synonyms
* spread * (have a substance smeared on) coat, cover, layerDerived terms
* smearerNoun
(en noun)- This detergent cleans windows without leaving smears .
- I'm going to the doctor's this afternoon for a smear .
Synonyms
* (mark) streak * (Pap smear) Pap smear, Pap testDerived terms
* cervical smear * smear campaign * smear caseAnagrams
* * * * English ergative verbslibel
English
Noun
(en noun)- (Chaucer)
- a libel of forsaking [divorcement]
Synonyms
* See alsoVerb
- He libelled her when he published that.
- Some wicked wits have libelled all the fair.