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asperse

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of asperse

to make untrue and harmful statements about

  • how dare you asperse the character of our dedicated pastor!
Synonyms of asperse

blacken, calumniate, defame, libel, malign, slander, smear, traduce, vilify
Words Related to asperse

belittle, denigrate, detract, disparage

discredit, disgrace, dishonor, shame

abase, debase, degrade, humble, humiliate

disdain, scorn
Near Antonyms of asperse

exalt, glorify, honor

acclaim, applaud, commend, praise

esteem, respect

admire, regard

adore, revere, venerate, worship

Synonym Discussion of asperse

malign, traduce, asperse, vilify, calumniate, defame, slander mean to injure by speaking ill of. malign suggests specific and often subtle misrepresentation but may not always imply deliberate lying.
    • the most maligned monarch in British history
traduce stresses the resulting ignominy and distress to the victim.
    • so traduced the governor that he was driven from office
asperse implies continued attack on a reputation often by indirect or insinuated detraction.
    • both candidates aspersed the other's motives
vilify implies attempting to destroy a reputation by open and direct abuse.
    • no criminal was more vilified in the press
calumniate imputes malice to the speaker and falsity to the assertions.
    • falsely calumniated as a traitor
defame stresses the actual loss of or injury to one's good name.
    • sued them for defaming her reputation
slander stresses the suffering of the victim.
    • town gossips slandered their good name

Learn More about asperse

  1. See words that rhyme with asperse Dictionary: Definition of asperse

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