ASPERSING Synonyms: 168 Similar and Opposite Words

aspersing 1 of 3

noun

as in defamation

the making of false statements that damage another's reputation she has refused to take part in the mean-spirited aspersing in which so many political candidates indulge

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

aspersing

2 of 3

adjective

as in insulting

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

aspersing

3 of 3

verb

present participle of asperse

as in smearing

to make untrue and harmful statements about how dare you asperse the character of our dedicated pastor!

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for aspersing

Noun

Trump is seeking $5 billion in defamation damages and another $5 billion over violations of Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act.

— Ted Johnson, Deadline, 27 July 2026
His social media activity has landed him in court several times for defamation and libel.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 July 2026

Definition of defamation

Adjective

The target of the anger and scorn in all the insulting posters, slogans, and graffiti of the protest zone was not the education minister but Modi himself.

— Asim Ali, Time, 1 Aug. 2026
The big reveal that Rey was really the still-not-dead Emperor’s grand-daughter was incoherent and kind of insulting.

— Adam Frank, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

Definition of insulting

Verb

At the entrance of Kollparay, Quispe pauses, taking my hands and smearing them with soil—the soil of her village.

— Paola Miglio, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 June 2026
This will lead to smearing dust particles around instead of picking them up, which is where a wet cloth comes into play.

— Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 5 June 2026

Definition of smearing

Noun

In response, Baldoni — and nine other plaintiffs, including publicists Melissa Nathan and Jennifer Abel — sued the newspaper for libel and false light invasion of privacy, among other claims, over the article, and sought $250 million in damages.

— Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 28 July 2026
Wayfarer has since pushed back against Lively's request for $8 million in legal fees over Wayfarer's libel suit.

— KiMi Robinson, USA Today, 28 July 2026

Definition of libel

Adjective

Federal authorities have subjected record numbers of immigrants to mandatory detention, including in inhuman and degrading conditions, while gutting internal oversight mechanisms.

— Minky Worden, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Detainees recounted degrading and inhumane living conditions that included bathrooms covered in feces, flooded housing units and no access to soap or other basic hygiene supplies, according to the report.

— Michael Biesecker, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026

Definition of degrading

Verb

The Iranians are now setting the terms of this conflict and are routinely humiliating the American president.

— Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026
Instead of demanding personal fealty or humiliating them to assert personal dominance, Lincoln absorbed their egos and occasional slights, elevating their talents and turning his fiercest political adversaries into his most devoted champions.

— Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 24 June 2026

Definition of humiliating

Noun

Morgan has spent months answering the criticism that her title reign leans on Judgment Day interference, and WWE gave her the finish without a single outside assist at the 100-day mark of the reign.

— Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick also leveled criticism at Wasserman Schultz, who lives in Weston.

— Joan Murray, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of criticism

Adjective

However, Trump allies have pushed election theories about a Venezuelan connection for years without proof, and a judge ruled in 2023 that statements made by Fox News personalities about Dominion’s connections to Venezuela were defamatory.

— Kiara Moore, The Washington Examiner, 6 July 2026
His countersuit was dismissed in June 2025, after Liman ruled that Lively's claims could not be considered defamatory.

— Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 30 June 2026

Definition of defamatory

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

asperses

aspersing

aspersion

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Aspersing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aspersing. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of aspersing

noun

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

élan

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Popular in Wordplay

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes