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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

aspersing

2 of 3

adjective

as in insulting

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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!

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for aspersing
  1. defamation
  2. insulting
  3. smearing
  4. libel
  5. degrading
  6. humiliating
  7. criticism
  8. defamatory
Noun
  • Gibney has never been one to shy away from controversy, but even before Musk’s release, the film drew the ire of its subject and threats of a defamation lawsuit.
    — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Conrad’s legal team includes Camille Vasquez, who was among the attorneys who represented actor Johnny Depp in his defamation lawsuit against his ex-wife, Amber Heard.
    — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of defamation
Adjective
  • Some job seekers say AI interviews can feel impersonal, stilted, and downright insulting.
    — Sarah Jackson Juhohn Lee, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Even more insulting was the cold, transactional nature of the intrusion.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of insulting
Verb
  • Yet what follows is an extended list of ethical sins, with a focus on the sins of abusive speech, such as slandering, slurring, slighting and smearing the reputations of others.
    — Reuven Kimelman, The Conversation, 18 Sep. 2026
  • People have gone from smearing the compound on their faces to using injections, in hopes of achieving firmer, wrinkle-free skin and other anti-aging benefits.
    — Brittney Melton, NPR, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of smearing
Noun
  • Reuters — Jeffrey Archer, the bestselling British novelist and former politician who was jailed for lying in a high-profile libel case, has died aged 86, his publisher HarperCollins said on Monday.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2026
  • His political career, which included a spell as the Conservative Party’s deputy chairman, was interrupted by a period in prison in 2001 after he was found guilty of lying and cheating in a 1987 libel case against The Daily Star newspaper.
    — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of libel
Adjective
  • At Fuerte Guaicaipuro, a military facility, investigators documented detainees being confined in pit-like cells dug below ground level and subjected to cold, food deprivation and other degrading treatment.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 16 Sep. 2026
  • The beating can look degrading, but the check might protect opportunities for hundreds of athletes who never appear in the game.
    — Jason Lloyd, New York Times, 4 Sep. 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
  • The decision has also drawn criticism from Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
    — Marlow Stern, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
  • The conclusions are non-binding and face criticism, and the ultimate approval is up to the judge.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of criticism
Adjective
  • Mansouri denied the allegations, called them defamatory and took legal action.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Even if the statement was false and defamatory, Loy noted that Kiley would face another obstacle in court.
    — Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 24 Sep. 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.

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asperses
aspersing
aspersion
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Cite this Entry

“Aspersing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aspersing. Accessed 13 Oct. 2026.

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