Smudger

A smudger is a person or thing that smears or blurs something, typically ink, paint, makeup, or a surface, creating a less clear or aesthetically pleasing result. This can be unintentional, as in accidentally wiping ink across a page, or intentional, as in a technique used in art. The term emphasizes the action of creating an indistinct or blurred mark, potentially ruining or altering the original form. It also applies figuratively to situations where clarity or precision is lost, creating a negative impact or making things less readable.

Smudger meaning with examples

• The careless toddler, covered in chocolate, became a smudger when he grabbed the fresh drawing from the table, leaving a chocolate-covered mark on the masterpiece. His innocent, unintentional actions ruined the artwork.
• The faulty printer was a constant smudger, depositing ink in blotches across the documents. This created a problem for the office workers, who were getting frustrated with the constant reprinting.
• Her heavy eyeliner often made her a smudger; during the day her perfectly applied makeup would transform to black streaks. As a result she started to look like a panda.
• The artist used a specialized tool as a smudger to soften the edges of his charcoal drawing, adding depth. He wanted a certain effect by using the smudging technique.
• The reporter's clumsy handling of the facts turned him into a smudger of the truth, confusing the narrative. This inaccurate presentation made it hard for the readers to know what really happened.