The Clue
Cosmetic problem (5 letter answer)
The Answer
SMEAR
Tags
Notes
The answer SMEAR is seen frequently, appearing about once every 120 puzzles.
Related Clues
Besmirch
Blacken
Blotch
Calumniate
Daub
Defamation
Defame
Insult
Malign
Slander
Soil
Sully
Vilification
Vilify
Bad-mouth
Campaign staple
Campaign tactic
Cosmetician's goof
Lipstick slip
Makeup mishap
Makeup problem
Mascara mess
Mess up
Throw mud at
Untidy mark
Attack ad, maybe
Bit of negative campaigning
Campaign dirty trick
Campaigner's dirty trick
Dirty campaign tactic
Dirty political tactic
Flub a paint job
Makeup artist's problem
Publish lies about
Use finger paints
Window cleaner's goof
Window washer's mistake
Definition
SMEAR as a noun:
1. (smear, vilification, malignment) = slanderous defamation
2. (smear, cytologic smear, cytosmear) = a thin tissue or blood sample spread on a glass slide and stained for cytologic examination and diagnosis under a microscope
3. (smudge, spot, blot, daub, smear, smirch, slur) = a blemish made by dirt; "he had a smudge on his cheek"
4. (blot, smear, smirch, spot, stain) = an act that brings discredit to the person who does it; "he made a huge blot on his copybook"
SMEAR as a verb:
1. stain by smearing or daubing with a dirty substance
2. (smear, blur, smudge, smutch) = make a smudge on; soil by smudging
3. (daub, smear) = cover (a surface) by smearing (a substance) over it; "smear the wall with paint"; "daub the ceiling with plaster"
4. (defame, slander, smirch, asperse, denigrate, calumniate, smear, sully, besmirch) = charge falsely or with malicious intent; attack the good name and reputation of someone; "The journalists have defamed me!" "The article in the paper sullied my reputation"