What "smear" means in rock climbing

In rock climbing, "smear" refers to the technique of pressing the sole of the climbing shoe against the rock surface without any specific hold. This technique relies on friction between the shoe and the rock to maintain body position or make upward progress. Smearing is often used when there are no obvious holds or when footholds are too small or nonexistent. A climber's ability to properly execute a smear can greatly affect their success in ascending difficult routes.