as in criticism
an unfair criticism or false accusation meant to damage another's reputation
Let's keep the debate focused on the issues and try to avoid casting aspersions on one another. I don't mean to cast aspersions on his integrity, but I'm not sure I'd trust him with the money.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of aspersion
The author casts unconfirmed aspersions on the agency.
—
Torie Bosch, STAT, 23 Dec. 2023
This potential smoking gun could be a destabilizing and demoralizing blow for many members of the Indigenous community, who in the past 12 months also have seen aspersions cast on the heritage of high-profile figures including Sacheen Littlefeather and independent film producer Heather Rae.
—Rebecca Sun, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Oct. 2023
Each apologized profusely, but qualified it with vicious aspersions on the other.
—John Jeremiah Sullivan, Harper's Magazine, 14 Aug. 2023
Klimek: There's some aspersions about men with facial hair there.
—Chris Klimek, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 July 2023
See All Example Sentences for aspersion
Torie Bosch, STAT, 23 Dec. 2023
This potential smoking gun could be a destabilizing and demoralizing blow for many members of the Indigenous community, who in the past 12 months also have seen aspersions cast on the heritage of high-profile figures including Sacheen Littlefeather and independent film producer Heather Rae.
—Rebecca Sun, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Oct. 2023
Each apologized profusely, but qualified it with vicious aspersions on the other.
—John Jeremiah Sullivan, Harper's Magazine, 14 Aug. 2023
Klimek: There's some aspersions about men with facial hair there.
—Chris Klimek, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 July 2023
See All Example Sentences for aspersion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aspersion
Noun
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Cuomo told reporters that Mamdani’s criticism of Israel had made Jewish people afraid to leave their homes.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
25 Oct. 2025
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Although there seems to be a lot of fan criticism towards Aleister Black and Zelina Vega's debut entrance as a couple on SmackDown, there are also fans who appeared to be in favor of the look.—
Matthew Couden,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The 27-yard dart, perfectly thrown to the goal line, unlocked a tie at 27 on the first play of the fourth quarter.—
Mitch Sherman,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Safety Tips Since darts are involved, make sure the game is set up in a safe area.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Federico Gatti was also excellent in thwarting Madrid’s attacks.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
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The attack has spurred allegations of a hate crime against the girl, who is Yemeni and Muslim.—
Andrea May Sahouri,
Freep.com,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The royal agreed to the interview in order to clear his name and explain his relationship with Epstein.—
Ashley Hume , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
21 Oct. 2025
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Kobo originally launched the apparel brand Torn by Ronny Kobo in 2009, with a relaunch in 2017 to the now-eponymous label’s name.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The Sermon on the ‘Mount episode also represented, amid the resulting furor on the right, a canny announcement that the collected calumnies of creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone are finally available on the Paramount Plus streaming service, after years licensed on Warner Bros.—
David Bloom,
Forbes.com,
28 July 2025
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That’s when his ugly-American calumny turned to blather.—
Armond White,
National Review,
28 May 2025
Noun
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In addition to initiating the censure process, the City Council called for a special meeting, with Barbadillo, Lam and Chua in favor.—
Luis Melecio-Zambrano,
Mercury News,
23 Oct. 2025
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In doing so, the palace must weigh distancing itself from Andrew with ensuring the blowback from any further censure does not do even more damage to an institution that requires public buy-in.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
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My relationship with my disease began as one of mutual contempt.—
David Soren,
PEOPLE,
19 Oct. 2025
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Delightfully pugnacious contempt for plot and human interest.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Aspersion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aspersion. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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