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 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
The author casts unconfirmed aspersions on the agency.
—Torie Bosch, STAT, 23 Dec. 2023
See All Example Sentences for aspersion
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
The author casts unconfirmed aspersions on the agency.
—Torie Bosch, STAT, 23 Dec. 2023
See All Example Sentences for aspersion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aspersion
Noun
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For all the billionaire invasion criticism, the event has long been an advertising, media promotion and networking ritual for the wealthy and powerful, so what changed, really?—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
8 May 2026
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And Rubio’s diplomacy with the pope could fade, should Trump take to Truth Social later this week with more criticisms.—
Shelby Talcott,
semafor.com,
8 May 2026
Noun
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On successive plays at Chiefs rookie mini-camp on Friday, new receiver Cyrus Allen hauled in a tight-window dart over the middle from fellow draft pick Garrett Nussmeier; not long after, Jeff Caldwell ran down a sideline pass for a big gain.—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
2 May 2026
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In these kinds of experiments, participants are told to practice physical activities—finger tapping, coin tossing, dart throwing with a nondominant hand—within their dreams.—
Shayla Love,
New Yorker,
1 May 2026
Noun
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In recent years, a litany of violent, seemingly unprovoked attacks across Metro led to the deaths or severe injury of several passengers—a confirmation of Angelenos’ worst fears about the system.—
Oren Peleg,
New Yorker,
9 May 2026
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According to the Qataris, two Iranian ballistic missiles and three drone attacks led to the injury of three people in the Gulf nation.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
The Sixers better learn the sophomore playmaker’s name.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
5 May 2026
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Joliet Catholic’s Steve Martin is just fine with sharing a name with the famous actor and comedian.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
5 May 2026
Noun
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Shapiro released a special 41-minute episode of his podcast detailing Fuentes’s career of calumnies against Black people, Indian Americans, Jews, and women—and called out Carlson’s refusal to confront the young white supremacist about any of it.—
Yair Rosenberg,
The Atlantic,
4 Feb. 2026
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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
Noun
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The censure appears to be the first in recent memory at Judson ISD.—
Noah Alcala Bach,
San Antonio Express-News,
24 Apr. 2026
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Potential punishments included a reprimand or a censure, which serve as forms of public rebuke.—
Kevin Freking,
Sun Sentinel,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Lower courts found the company in contempt of the ruling.—
Ella Lee,
The Hill,
6 May 2026
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Santa Rosa resident Jason Lopez-Willis, 27, was arrested for misdemeanor violation of a domestic violence restraining order misdemeanor contempt of court for failing to comply.—
Carlos E. Castañeda,
CBS News,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Aspersion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aspersion. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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