What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
smear
Example
She smeared the cream cheese on the bagel. [smear: verb]
Example
The paint smears on the wall made it look messy. [smears: noun]
Example
The politician tried to smear his opponent with false accusations. [smear: verb]
spread
Example
She spread the jam on the toast. [spread: verb]
Example
The butter spread easily on the warm bread. [spread: verb]
Example
The news of the new restaurant spread quickly through social media. [spread: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Spread is more commonly used than smear in everyday language. Spread is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while smear is less common and often used in specific contexts such as medical or political situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between smear and spread?
Both smear and spread can be used in formal and informal contexts, but smear may be perceived as more formal due to its association with medical or political contexts.
