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.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
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
-
But the colloquial use of the term has prompted criticism from some.—
Rebecca Schneid,
Time,
20 July 2025
-
In 2024, a girl in Madison, Wisconsin, participated in the event with her mother, provoking severe criticism particularly from Wisconsin Republican politicians who tried to ban the event this year.—
Cecilia Rodriguez,
Forbes.com,
20 July 2025
Noun
-
Police also found a pair of Morphew's shorts and a needle cap from one of the darts in the house's dryer.—
Rebecca Cohen,
NBC news,
20 June 2025
-
Insects and mice dart at my feet, a squirming in the grass.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 June 2025
Noun
-
The restaurant was a favorite hangout of the Gilbert Goons and the site of seven parking lot attacks, according to beating videos, interviews and police records.—
Perry Vandell,
AZCentral.com,
24 July 2025
-
And given that the English top flight jumped above the Bundesliga for the number of direct attacks per game last season, players who can be decisive at speed will continue to command premium prices.—
Thom Harris,
New York Times,
23 July 2025
Noun
-
The couple, who got engaged in December 2023, has largely kept their relationship out of the public eye over the years and haven't revealed the name of their daughter.—
Mekishana Pierre,
EW.com,
15 July 2025
-
Buckwheat 6 grams per cup cooked; gluten-free; complete protein Despite its name, buckwheat, which originated in central and western China, isn’t actually related to wheat.—
Caroline Tien,
SELF,
15 July 2025
Noun
-
That’s when his ugly-American calumny turned to blather.—
Armond White,
National Review,
28 May 2025
-
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
Noun
-
The first censure was approved by the council on Feb. 4 by a 4-0 vote with Blain absent, amid allegations of vote trading, threatening recalls against colleagues and attempting to use law enforcement to silence critics.—
Julie Gallant,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 July 2025
-
In court filings, Libby’s lawyers argued the censure violated her First Amendment rights to free speech and tied it to broader legislative rights.—
Chris Wade,
The Washington Examiner,
8 July 2025
Noun
-
Officials arrested the 55-year-old on Saturday after a Missouri judge held her in contempt of court for dodging court orders regarding $224,000 in attorneys’ fees and costs owed to PETA.—
Cheyenne Roundtree,
Rolling Stone,
23 July 2025
-
The series of photos — and a follow-up Valentine's Day post — were not well-received by Arroyo, who told PEOPLE that Rossi and Smiley barely saw Grayson and all there have been eight contempt of court orders over the years.—
Kayla Grant,
People.com,
18 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Aspersion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aspersion. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share