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imbrattare

to smear

verb eem-brat-TAH-reh Rare

Also means

to daub; to deface

Usage Note

Imbrattare means to smear, stain, or dirty a surface — imbrattare un muro (to daub a wall), imbrattare un foglio (to scrawl on a sheet). It carries a negative connotation, implying careless or unwanted marking. It takes avere as the auxiliary. The agent noun is imbrattatore (one who defaces).

Examples

"Qualcuno ha imbrattato il muro con la vernice."

Natural Translation

Someone smeared the wall with paint.

Literal Translation

Someone has smeared the wall with the paint.

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