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
  • But if it is altered, selectively edited, or shared with false context to damage someone’s reputation, legal issues such as defamation or invasion of privacy may arise.
    — Kristin Stoller, Fortune, 10 Aug. 2026
  • He was sued for defamation by voting machine companies — including one case that was settled.
    — Dana Ferguson, NPR, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of defamation
Adjective
  • At the end of the last cruise, everyone shunned me, except for Roy, who instead was cruel and insulting to me.
    — Abigail Van Buren, Boston Herald, 6 Aug. 2026
  • This struck Stevens and her allies as immature, insulting, and more than a little sexist.
    — David Weigel, semafor.com, 5 Aug. 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
  • His contempt for the Jewish state of Israel will lead our city right into a libel suit worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 3 Aug. 2026
  • 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
Definition of libel
Adjective
  • By suggesting that Black women would willingly place their own children in mortal danger for profit, such narratives provided yet another means of humiliating, degrading and dehumanizing African Americans.
    — The Conversation, The Conversation, 11 Aug. 2026
  • With fracking — which is already outlawed on offshore platforms in California waters, and is widely viewed as an environmentally degrading and often risky process — Gilda’s production would jump to about 4,000 barrels a day.
    — Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 9 Aug. 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 justice ministry rejected the criticism, saying the proceedings complied with Syrian law and included the participation of victims and their representatives.
    — Paula Hancocks, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
  • The documentary spotlighted some harsh criticisms of the show and of Banks.
    — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of criticism
Adjective
  • Williams, who had filed counterclaims against Baumgarten for allegedly making false and defamatory statements about her and tarnishing her reputation, also voluntarily dismissed her suit at the same time.
    — Catherine Muccigrosso July 24, Charlotte Observer, 24 July 2026
  • Charlotte MacInnes has appealed her defeat in a defamation case against Rebel Wilson, challenging the findings that Wilson’s Instagram posts were not defamatory and did not cause serious harm to her reputation.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 24 July 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 18 Aug. 2026.

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