What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
daub
Example
She daubed the paint on the canvas with a large brush. [daubed: past tense]
Example
The children daubed their hands with mud while playing outside. [daubed: verb]
smear
Example
He smeared the cream cheese on the bagel with a knife. [smeared: past tense]
Example
The politician was accused of trying to smear his opponent's reputation. [smear: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Smear is more commonly used than daub in everyday language. Smear is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while daub is less common and typically used in artistic or creative contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between daub and smear?
Both daub and smear are informal words, but smear can also be used in formal contexts when referring to the act of defaming someone's reputation.
