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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Trump's new tariffs are hitting several countries' imports harder than the rates that had initially been announced for those nations on April 2. Brazil's rate jumped from 10% to 50%, as Trump ramps up criticism of the country's treatment of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro.—
Dan Mangan,Christina Wilkie,Erin Doherty,Sophie Kiderlin,Ruxandra Iordache,
CNBC,
1 Aug. 2025
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The brand has spoken out after a week of online discourse and criticism.—
Mekishana Pierre,
EW.com,
1 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Kupp caught a dart from Darnold for a first down off a play-action concept. 4.—
Michael-Shawn Dugar,
New York Times,
29 July 2025
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The venue features an arcade, bowling alley, sports bar, restaurant and virtual darts.—
Reia Li,
AZCentral.com,
12 July 2025
Noun
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These same groups later carried out many of the grisly sectarian massacres of Alawite civilians along Syria’s coastal Latakia province in March, which killed at least 1,479, mostly civilians, following attacks by remnants of the former Assad regime.—
Paul Iddon,
Forbes.com,
4 Aug. 2025
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The simplest explanation is that Liam Coen, last season’s offensive coordinator, favored a ball-control passing attack coupled with a strong running game.—
John Romano,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The name sturgeon moon comes from the lake sturgeon, native to the Great Lakes and traditionally a key food source for Indigenous tribes during this summer season, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
28 July 2025
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However, this isn’t a specific species but rather a common name or catchall term people use when describing tiny ants such as the odorous house ant or little black ant, says Benson.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
28 July 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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Later that month, Ramirez-Rosa avoided a historic censure thanks to Johnson’s tie-breaker vote, but not before the episode cast open bitter divisions within the body along racial lines.—
Alice Yin,
Chicago Tribune,
18 July 2025
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Blain said in the statement that the independent investigative report — and the censure vote — were not objective inquiries, but the result of politics.—
Julie Gallant,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 July 2025
Noun
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Officials arrested the 55-year-old on Saturday after a Missouri judge held her in contempt of court for dodging court orders regarding $224,000 in attorneys’ fees and costs owed to PETA.—
Cheyenne Roundtree,
Rolling Stone,
23 July 2025
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The series of photos — and a follow-up Valentine's Day post — were not well-received by Arroyo, who told PEOPLE that Rossi and Smiley barely saw Grayson and all there have been eight contempt of court orders over the years.—
Kayla Grant,
People.com,
18 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Aspersion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aspersion. Accessed 8 Aug. 2025.
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