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Smudge vs Besmirch - What's the difference?

smudge | besmirch | Related terms |

As verbs the difference between smudge and besmirch

is that smudge is to obscure by blurring; to smear while besmirch is to make dirty; to soil.

As a noun smudge

is a blemish; a smear.

smudge

English

Etymology 1

Noun

(en noun)
  • A blemish; a smear.
    • There was a smudge on the paper.
  • Dense smoke, such as that used for fumigation.
    • (Grose)
  • (US) A heap of damp combustibles partially ignited and burning slowly, placed on the windward side of a house, tent, etc. to keep off mosquitoes or other insects.
    • (Bartlett)
    Synonyms
    * blur, smear, stain

    Etymology 2

    From (etyl) smogen.

    Verb

    (smudg)
  • To obscure by blurring; to smear.
  • To soil or smear with dirt.
  • To use dense smoke to protect from insects.
  • To stifle or smother with smoke.
  • (North American Indigenous) To burn herbs as a cleansing ritual.
    • Synonyms
    * (to obscure by blurring) blur, smear * (to soil or smear with dirt) smutch, soil * (to use smoke against insects) fumigate

    Related terms

    * smudgily * smudginess * smudgy

    Anagrams

    *

    besmirch

    English

    Verb

    (es)
  • To make dirty; to soil.
  • To tarnish something, especially someone's reputation; to debase.
    • The newspaper was on a campaign to besmirch the actor.