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.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of aspersion
Their online parlance is punctuated by empty enthusiasms, vicious aspersions, and obvious hypocrisies that rarely matter.
—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
30 Oct. 2025
The entire point of declaring some rock cool is to cast further aspersions on the actual popular rock bands at the time.
—
Brittany Spanos,
Rolling Stone,
21 July 2025
Any aspersions for the prevalence of fake Louis Vuitton should be cast on Canal Street in New York, not in France.
—
Marcus Thompson Ii,
The Athletic,
22 Jan. 2025
Even as China’s coercive capabilities and threatening behavior have rightly focused U.S. attention on the risks to American interests, the absence of clear metrics for success leaves the door open for partisan aspersions of the Biden administration’s approach.
—
Jessica Chen Weiss,
Foreign Affairs,
16 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for aspersion
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
30 Oct. 2025
The entire point of declaring some rock cool is to cast further aspersions on the actual popular rock bands at the time.
—
Brittany Spanos,
Rolling Stone,
21 July 2025
Any aspersions for the prevalence of fake Louis Vuitton should be cast on Canal Street in New York, not in France.
—
Marcus Thompson Ii,
The Athletic,
22 Jan. 2025
Even as China’s coercive capabilities and threatening behavior have rightly focused U.S. attention on the risks to American interests, the absence of clear metrics for success leaves the door open for partisan aspersions of the Biden administration’s approach.
—
Jessica Chen Weiss,
Foreign Affairs,
16 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for aspersion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aspersion
Noun
-
The Supreme Court's decision to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 160,000 Haitians in South Florida and hundreds of thousands more nationwide has drawn sharp criticism from local officials and raised concerns about the future of families in the region.
-
The investigation also compliments previous claims that CCC’s regulations impede coastal infrastructure projects, which has drawn criticism from multiple political fronts over the last year.
Noun
-
The beloved terrier Krypto gets shot with a poison dart that will kill him in 72 hours; that’s how long Kara has to retrieve the antidote.
-
One of the victims was shot multiple times with blow darts and had to undergo surgery, according to police.
Noun
-
One of the dogs involved in the attack was later found in Los Angeles County and seized.
-
Two people were killed and seven others injured in Russian attacks on the northeastern Kharkiv region over the previous 24 hours, regional head Oleh Syniehubov said Friday.
Noun
-
Albies has the sixth-best OPS among NL second basemen, but has made three All-Star games before, plays for a popular franchise and has strong name value, likely helping his voting numbers.
-
Despite that progress, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq declined, as megacap tech names tumbled.
Noun
-
Pratt was just another angry New Yorker hectoring calumnies against all forms of authority.
-
The declaration also highlights the need to report facts, not suppress or falsify information, and avoid discrimination, bribery, and calumny.
Noun
-
After passing the Resolutions Committee of the South Dakota GOP, the censure was overwhelmingly voted down, with opponents saying the measure would only help Democrats.
-
The House’s periodic descent into politically motivated censure votes, however, could propel them to make a change next year.
Noun
-
Things like trying to disqualify the entire Utah County Attorney's Office, trying to get some of the evidence suppressed, trying to get a contempt order because the prosecutors violated the court's gag order.
-
Graf held a hearing earlier this month over whether prosecutors should be held in contempt for their comments about the bullet.
Cite this Entry
“Aspersion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aspersion. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
