The Clue
Illustrator's goof (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
Daub
Defamation
Defame
Denigrate
Insult
Libel
Slander
Slur
Sully
Vilification
Vilify
Bad mark
Campaign calumny
Campaign staple
Campaign tactic
Cosmetic problem
Cosmetician's goof
Makeup mishap
Makeup problem
Mirror marrer
Slide specimen
Sling mud
Sling mud at
Bit of negative campaigning
Campaign tactic, sometimes
Dirty campaign tactic
Eyeliner boo-boo
Publish lies about
Slight on the stump, say
Window cleaner's goof
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"