aspersion

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noun as·per·sion \ə-ˈspər-zhən, -shən\

Definition of aspersion

1a : a false or misleading charge meant to harm someone's reputation casting aspersions on her integrityb : the act of making such a charge : defamation
2 : a sprinkling with water especially in religious ceremonies the aspersion of the congregation before Mass

aspersion was our Word of the Day on 04/24/2011. Hear the podcast!

Recent Examples of aspersion from the Web

While U.S. officials are casting aspersions on his company’s products, privacy advocates see a threat in increasing government pressure for tech companies to provide security backdoors.

— david z. morris, Fortune, "Russian Cybersecurity CEO Offers Source Code for U.S. Inspection", 2 July 2017
In addition to honest criticisms, there have also been a raft of wholly dishonest aspersions cast at Musk and the company.

— eric berger, Ars Technica, "After nine launches in 2017, it’s tough to be an honest critic of SpaceX", 26 June 2017
Rubio called on Trump and the administration to let the investigation go forward and not cast aspersions.

— eli watkins, CNN, "Rubio: Trump firing Mueller 'not going to happen'", 18 June 2017
This whole thing has blown up and become so ugly and cast negative aspersions on the county workforce.

— ramona giwargis, The Mercury News, "Did Santa Clara County workers donate those Christmas toys to the poor?", 29 Jan. 2017
That’s not casting aspersions on Tim Army and Dave Farrish, the holdover assistants, but Bednar didn’t have carte blanche to pick his own staff.

— terry frei, The Denver Post, "Analysis: A look at the Avalanche during its “bye” break", 10 Jan. 2017
Cunningham broadcasts lies and half truths about Scott’s character, casts aspersions, hints at an affair with Maggie Bateman.

— kristin hannah, New York Times, "Review: Noah Hawley’s ‘Before the Fall’ Is One of the Year’s Best Suspense Novels MAY 25, 2016", 30 May 2016
It’s also another virtuosic episode for Hannibal’s ability to evade suspicion while casting aspersions on another character.

— k.m. mcfarland, WIRED, "WIRED Binge-Watching Guide: Hannibal", 3 June 2015

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'aspersion'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

aspersion Did Not Always Have Negative Connotations

No sweet aspersion shall the heavens let fall / To make this contract grow. In this line from Shakespeare's The Tempest, "aspersion" literally refers to a sprinkling of rain, but figuratively means "blessing." Shakespeare's use is true to the heritage of the term. "Aspersion" comes from the Latin word aspersus, itself a derivative of the verb "aspergere," which means "to sprinkle" or "to scatter." When "aspersion" first appeared in English in the 16th century, it referred to the type of sprinklings (for instance, of holy water) that occur in religious ceremonies. But English speakers noted that splatterings can soil and stain, and by the end of the century "aspersion" was also being used for reports that stain or tarnish a reputation.