as in criticism
an unfair criticism or false accusation meant to damage another's reputation
Let's keep the debate focused on the issues and try to avoid casting aspersions on one another. I don't mean to cast aspersions on his integrity, but I'm not sure I'd trust him with the money.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of aspersion
This potential smoking gun could be a destabilizing and demoralizing blow for many members of the Indigenous community, who in the past 12 months also have seen aspersions cast on the heritage of high-profile figures including Sacheen Littlefeather and independent film producer Heather Rae.
—
Rebecca Sun, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Oct. 2023
Each apologized profusely, but qualified it with vicious aspersions on the other.
—John Jeremiah Sullivan, Harper's Magazine, 14 Aug. 2023
Klimek: There's some aspersions about men with facial hair there.
—Chris Klimek, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 July 2023
Not to cast any aspersions at any other demographic, but there’s been a very severe misrepresentation on stages, not just gender-wise, but color-, every-identity-wise.
—Stephanie Clifford, ELLE, 8 Mar. 2023
See All Example Sentences for aspersion
Rebecca Sun, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Oct. 2023
Each apologized profusely, but qualified it with vicious aspersions on the other.
—John Jeremiah Sullivan, Harper's Magazine, 14 Aug. 2023
Klimek: There's some aspersions about men with facial hair there.
—Chris Klimek, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 July 2023
Not to cast any aspersions at any other demographic, but there’s been a very severe misrepresentation on stages, not just gender-wise, but color-, every-identity-wise.
—Stephanie Clifford, ELLE, 8 Mar. 2023
See All Example Sentences for aspersion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aspersion
Noun
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The event gave the royals the opportunity to put on a united front in the face of Harry and Meghan's criticisms made during the show.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
Newsweek,
26 Feb. 2025
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Ultimately, interviews with more than two dozen people showed that Trump's aides at the White House and USAGM wanted the network to reflect Trump's successes and to tamp down on criticisms of him - a consistent thread of recent developments.—
David Folkenflik,
NPR,
26 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Now proprietors are going after adults with concepts like Holey Moley and Punch Bowl Social, which combines eating and drinking with nostalgic amusements such as billiards, bowling, darts and arcade games.—
Roger Vincent,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Feb. 2025
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Three pairs of contestants – each including a keen darts player (the ‘thrower’) and their partner (the ‘knower’) – compete, throwing darts at different game boards and answering questions.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
25 Feb. 2025
Noun
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According to the Lee County Sheriff's Office, about 5:15 p.m. Monday, deputies responded to the area's Valley community for a report of a dog attack.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA TODAY,
1 Mar. 2025
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Hamas started the war with its Oct. 7, 2023, attack that left 1,200 dead in Israel, mostly civilians, and took some 250 hostage.—
Samy Magdy and David Rising,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The introduction catalyzed fixtures in pop culture like the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, Wicked’s more than 20-year run on Broadway and of course, the blockbuster movie of the same name in 2024 — with a second part coming in 2025.—
Colson Thayer,
People.com,
6 Mar. 2025
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Ice Spice’s varsity jacket featured the label’s name in block letters across the chest, as well as padded shoulders.—
Hannah Malach,
WWD,
6 Mar. 2025
Noun
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That brings us to the other calumnies Vance and Trump have directed at the Haitians in Springfield.—
Michael Hiltzik,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Sep. 2024
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Sifton and Stern conclude their book with a look at how even after the Nazis’ defeat, the Bonhoeffer and Dohnanyi families faced public and official calumny for being relatives of traitors.—
Peter Hoffmann,
Foreign Affairs,
18 June 2014
Noun
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In a 224 to 198 vote, the House approved a censure resolution against Green, with 10 Democrats joining all Republicans in favor of the move.—
Caitlin Yilek,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2025
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In the end, however, Johnson decided to go with Newhouse’s censure resolution.—
Mychael Schnell,
The Hill,
5 Mar. 2025
Noun
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With contempt and termination by an unelected billionaire who never served in a uniform in his life.—
Sean Krofssik,
Hartford Courant,
3 Mar. 2025
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People were simply happy to see each other again, having gone through the final season boycott and reverse boycott together and unified in their disdain for A’s owner John Fisher but with no contempt for the players and coaches who had no choice but to follow their job out of town.—
Jerry McDonald,
The Mercury News,
2 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Aspersion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aspersion. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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