smears out

USAGE SUMMARY

"smears out" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to spread or make something less distinct or clear. You can use it in a sentence when describing the act of spreading or making something less clear or distinct. Example: As the artist continued to paint, she felt more and more frustrated as the colors began to smear out, blending together into a messy blur on the canvas.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

It smears out in the intensity profile with g max  = 1Å−1.

Advanced Structural and Chemical Imaging

The temperature induced transition is sharper in the case of microgels with lower amount of cross-linker and smears out with increasing amount of cross-linker.

Polymer

Indeed, emitter geometry clearly smears out much, if not all of the functional benefits associated with the novel electronic properties of any given material.

Nano Convergence

However, the dip in the first focusing peak leading to two sub-peaks smears out at 1.8 K (Fig. 3 b, e).

Nanoscale Research Letters

For both cases, the polydispersity smears out monodisperse scattering curves, and the fractal dimensions can be recovered at each structural level.

Nanoscale Research Letters

The temperature dependence reveals that the peak splitting is well defined at low temperature whereas it smears out at high temperature indicating the exchange-driven spin polarisation in the injector is dominant at low temperatures.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

She went to crush it, and its guts smeared out in this really grotesque awful mess.

The New Yorker

In visible light, all stars appear as points, only smeared out into a small circle by the atmosphere and by the optics of the telescope.

The Economist

These eight peaks are smeared out with increasing temperature.

Nanoscale Research Letters

The plot is smeared out because we are filling each square with the interpolated field.

Earth, Planets and Space

The effect of the finite subset size is to smear out the sharp strain gradients.

International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a process where details become less clear over time, use "smears out" to effectively convey this blurring effect.

Common error

Avoid using "smears out" in casual conversation; it's more suited for technical or descriptive writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "blurs" or "fades" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "smears out" functions as a phrasal verb, modifying a subject by describing its transformation from a distinct to an indistinct state. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

70%

News & Media

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "smears out" effectively conveys the idea of something becoming less distinct or defined, often through spreading or blurring. Ludwig AI confirms that it’s grammatically correct and usable in written English. It is most frequently found in scientific and technical contexts, maintaining a neutral to formal tone. When writing, remember to use "smears out" when you specifically want to emphasize the loss of clarity or definition in a subject, avoiding its overuse in more casual settings where simpler alternatives might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

blurs

This alternative focuses more on the visual aspect of becoming indistinct.

becomes blurred

This is visually oriented and refers to a lack of sharp focus.

becomes indistinct

This phrase is a more formal way of saying something loses its clear form.

loses definition

This highlights the loss of clear boundaries or form.

diffuses

This suggests a spreading out, often in a physical or chemical context.

spreads

This emphasizes the action of extending over an area, losing focus.

fades out

This suggests a gradual disappearance or weakening.

becomes diluted

This refers to a weakening or thinning out, often in a conceptual sense.

dissipates

This conveys a sense of vanishing or dispersing completely.

becomes homogenized

This implies a uniform blending, removing distinct features.

FAQs

How can I use "smears out" in a sentence?

Use "smears out" to describe something becoming less distinct or clear, such as "The temperature dependence reveals that the peak splitting is well defined at low temperature whereas it "smears out" at high temperature indicating the exchange-driven spin polarisation in the injector is dominant at low temperatures."

What does "smears out" mean?

"Smears out" means to spread or make something less distinct. It often implies a loss of clarity or definition.

Are there any synonyms for "smears out"?

Yes, you can use alternatives such as "blurs", "becomes indistinct", or "diffuses" depending on the context.

In what contexts is "smears out" most appropriate?

"Smears out" is often used in scientific, technical, and descriptive writing to explain physical phenomena or abstract concepts losing clarity. It's less common in informal conversation.