aspersion

noun

as·​per·​sion ə-ˈspər-zhən How to pronounce aspersion (audio)
-shən
1
a
: a false or misleading charge meant to harm someone's reputation
casting aspersions on her integrity
b
: the act of making such a charge : defamation
2
: a sprinkling with water especially in religious ceremonies
the aspersion of the congregation before Mass

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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.

Examples of aspersion in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Soon, politicians arrive at the local village to deliver empty sermons about compensation, but aspersions are cast on the dead man and his middle-aged son Ganesh (Nemchand), who are accused of concocting a suicide scheme for a quick payout. Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 26 Feb. 2024 The author casts unconfirmed aspersions on the agency. Torie Bosch, STAT, 23 Dec. 2023 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 The quotations because the term is more one of aspersion than a real pointer to a specific and discrete movement at this point. Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 29 Dec. 2011 Though Smith’s actions cast no aspersion on the sisters, his win for playing their father was stained with apology rather than triumph, and that’s too bad. Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'aspersion.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

see asperse

First Known Use

circa 1587, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of aspersion was circa 1587

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Cite this Entry

“Aspersion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aspersion. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

aspersion

noun
as·​per·​sion ə-ˈspər-zhən How to pronounce aspersion (audio)
: an evil report or false charge
cast aspersions on a person

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