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asperse
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as·perse

transitive verb \ə-ˈspərs, a-\
as·persedas·pers·ing

Definition of ASPERSE

1
: sprinkle; especially : to sprinkle with holy water
2
: to attack with evil reports or false or injurious charges

Examples of ASPERSE

  1. <how dare you asperse the character of our dedicated pastor!>

Origin of ASPERSE

Latin aspersus, past participle of aspergere, from ad- + spargere to scatter — more at spark
First Known Use: 15th century

Related to ASPERSE

Synonyms
slander, blacken, calumniate, defame, libel, malign, smear, traduce, vilify
See Synonym Discussion at malign

Rhymes with ASPERSE

adverse, amerce, averse, coerce, commerce, converse, cutpurse, disburse, disperse, diverse, dry nurse, free verse, immerse, inverse, Nez Percé, obverse, perverse, rehearse, reverse, scrub nurse, sesterce, submerse, transverse, traverse, wet nurse

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#6: Flabbergast
: to overwhelm with shock,
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