The Clue
Nasty campaign tactic (5 letter answer)
The Answer
SMEAR
Tags
Notes
The answer SMEAR is seen frequently, appearing about once every 120 puzzles.
Related Clues
Besmirch
Blotch
Daub
Defame
Denigrate
Insult
Slander
Slur
Sully
Vilification
Vilify
Artist's mishap
Bad-mouth
Campaign tactic
Cosmetician's goof
Glaze for pottery
Makeup problem
Mascara mess
Mess up
Political slander
Ruin, as calligraphy
Slide specimen
Sling mud
Sling mud at
Type of campaign
Attack ad, maybe
Bit of negative campaigning
Campaign dirty trick
Dirty campaign tactic
Finger painting, e.g.
Makeup boo-boo
Publish lies about
Window cleaner's goof
Makeup applier's boo-boo
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"