What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
disfame
Example
The politician's disfame was caused by the media's false accusations. [disfame: noun]
Example
He tried to disfame his ex-girlfriend by spreading lies about her. [disfame: verb]
smear
Example
The company launched a smear campaign against its competitor to gain an advantage. [smear: noun]
Example
She tried to smear her opponent's reputation by spreading rumors about him. [smear: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Smear is more commonly used than disfame in everyday language. Smear is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while disfame is less common and may sound archaic or formal.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between disfame and smear?
Disfame is typically associated with a more formal tone, while smear can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
