aspersion
noun
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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, a form 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 splatters can soil and stain, and it wasn’t long before aspersion was also being used for reports that stain or tarnish a reputation.
Examples of aspersion in a Sentence
Marcus Thompson Ii, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025
Even as China’s coercive capabilities and threatening behavior have rightly focused U.S. attention on the risks to American interests, the absence of clear metrics for success leaves the door open for partisan aspersions of the Biden administration’s approach.
—Jessica Chen Weiss, Foreign Affairs, 16 Sep. 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for aspersion
Cite this Entry
“Aspersion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aspersion. Accessed 31 Jul. 2025.
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aspersion
noun
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