Bedaub

To smear or cover something with a messy or sticky substance, often carelessly or crudely. It implies a lack of artistry or precision in the application. The substance used to bedaub can vary widely, ranging from paint and mud to food and other undesirable materials. The act of bedaubing often results in a visually unpleasant or unsightly appearance. The verb also hints at a degree of recklessness or disregard for cleanliness or neatness in the application of the substance. It might be used to imply a deliberate act of defacement or to suggest clumsiness in the act.

Bedaub meaning with examples

• The children, in a fit of joyful chaos, decided to bedaub the freshly painted fence with finger paints, creating a vibrant, though messy, masterpiece. The result was a kaleidoscope of colours and a chore for the adults to clean up. Despite the mess, their laughter rang through the air, a testament to their playful adventure.
• The clown, intending to amuse the audience, ended up bedaubing the volunteer with custard pies during the finale of the performance. The volunteer, although surprised, joined in the laughter. The whole scene was full of joy, though a big cleanup followed as custard had to be wiped from all around.
• The escaped prisoner attempted to bedaub his face with dirt in an attempt to camouflage himself from the search dogs, though it proved unsuccessful. His plan did hide him somewhat, but didn't hide him from a passing helicopter. Thus, the effort was in vain, as he was quickly apprehended.
• The artist, struggling with creative block, grew frustrated and started to bedaub the canvas with thick, dark paints. His actions reflected his inner turmoil. The final piece was dark and somewhat angry, showing his struggle to express his emotions at this point.