smeared with mud

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "smeared with mud" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something or someone that has mud spread or rubbed onto their surface, often implying a messy or dirty condition. Example: "After the rainstorm, the children came inside, their clothes smeared with mud from playing in the puddles."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

We were twenty-two and smeared with mud.

The New Yorker

Parade-goers sported ordinary clothes smeared with mud or oil or tar.

The New Yorker

There was a Toyota pickup truck smeared with mud outside the gate.

The New Yorker

The band arrived onstage in darkness and smeared with mud, like savages.

The New Yorker

The Taliban are gone from Mazar-i-Sharif now, and the sign has been smeared with mud.

The New York Times

These weren't ghosts of soldiers past, of course, but re-enactors — including myself, dressed in red pants and smeared with mud — in town for a memorial dedication.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

All the cars in this area, including humanitarian vehicles, are smeared with thick mud to camouflage them from what residents describe as unrelenting bombings.

The New York Times

Inside the warehouse almost everything is smeared with rust or mud.

Vice

Mr. Radojkovic brought some from the police station, damaged them and smeared them with mud to make them look used and affixed them to the truck.

The New York Times

Ruhmann's simple text paints the scenario, but it is Rowe's fabulous grubby illustrations that carry the story of this tearaway toddler who, along with the house, ends the day smeared with paint, food and mud, but realises that, for all the fun he's had, he needs mum for his bedtime story.

The Guardian - Books

Then 200 soldiers defected, driving across the front lines in a convoy of Toyota pickup trucks that had been camouflaged in the Taliban style -- smeared with a thick layer of mud.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "smeared with mud", consider the visual imagery it evokes. This phrase is particularly effective when describing a chaotic or messy scene, or to emphasize the primitive nature of a situation.

Common error

Avoid using "smeared with mud" in highly formal or professional writing unless the context specifically calls for such vivid and potentially informal imagery. Consider alternatives like "covered in mud" for a more neutral tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "smeared with mud" functions primarily as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun by indicating that the noun has mud spread or rubbed onto its surface. Ludwig examples highlight its use in describing appearances or conditions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

8%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "smeared with mud" is a common and grammatically correct adjective phrase used to vividly describe something covered in mud. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and typical usage. The phrase frequently appears in news and media contexts, as well as in more informal settings. While versatile, it's best to avoid overuse in highly formal writing, where more neutral alternatives like "covered in mud" might be more appropriate. Key takeaways include its descriptive function, neutral register, and the strong visual imagery it evokes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Covered in mud

Focuses on the state of being covered rather than the action of smearing.

Coated with mud

Emphasizes a layer of mud covering a surface.

Daubed with mud

Suggests a rough or careless application of mud.

Streaked with mud

Implies lines or marks of mud on a surface.

Spattered with mud

Indicates that mud has been splashed or scattered onto something.

Besmirched with mud

Adds a connotation of staining or dishonoring with mud.

Smeared with dirt

Uses the broader term "dirt" instead of the specific "mud".

Mud-caked

A concise adjective describing something heavily covered in dried mud.

Mud-splattered

Another concise term that means covered with spots of mud.

Grimy with mud

Highlights the dirty and unclean aspect of being covered in mud.

FAQs

How can I use "smeared with mud" in a sentence?

You can use "smeared with mud" to describe something or someone that has mud spread or rubbed onto their surface, often implying a messy or dirty condition. For example: "The children came inside, their clothes "smeared with mud" from playing in the puddles."

What can I say instead of "smeared with mud"?

You can use alternatives like "covered in mud", "coated with mud", or "daubed with mud" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "smeared with mud" or "smeared of mud"?

"Smeared with mud" is the correct and commonly used phrase. "Smeared of mud" is grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "smeared with mud" and "covered with mud"?

"Smeared with mud" suggests a less uniform and possibly more forceful application of mud, while "covered with mud" implies a more complete or even coating.