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
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
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Building, lighting plans draw criticism from community Parker’s campus currently sprawls six acres and has a 6-to-1 student-to-teacher ratio.—
Kate Perez,
Chicago Tribune,
23 May 2026
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The closure drew criticism from the Primm family.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
23 May 2026
Noun
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But the darts at Dart are not only coming from fans and players from opposing teams.—
Leonard Greene,
New York Daily News,
23 May 2026
-
Outside of golf’s four majors, where dart-throwing approach shots and chip-in birdies suck up most of the oxygen, many annual PGA Tour stops quietly serve a second purpose beyond crowning a champion on Sunday afternoon.—
Mike Dojc,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
Noun
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Northwestern didn’t let Johns Hopkins’ comeback attack get any closer though.—
Colleen Kane,
Chicago Tribune,
23 May 2026
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Those attacks have also threatened its image as a glamorous haven for tourists to the Middle East.—
Amy Gunia,
CNN Money,
22 May 2026
Noun
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As the name suggests, the brand’s Rosemary Mint Scalp and Hair Strengthening Oil contains rosemary oil, which experts say boasts several benefits.—
Isabel Bekele,
InStyle,
26 May 2026
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The investment bank has a buy rating on the memory name.—
Liz Napolitano,
CNBC,
26 May 2026
Noun
-
Pratt was just another angry New Yorker hectoring calumnies against all forms of authority.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
14 May 2026
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The declaration also highlights the need to report facts, not suppress or falsify information, and avoid discrimination, bribery, and calumny.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
11 May 2026
Noun
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Polis called the censure politically motivated.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
23 May 2026
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Coggins said the official party complaint seemed to be the strongest venue available to condemn Polis’ actions, especially since a special legislative session — with the goal of a censure by the General Assembly — seemed out of reach.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
20 May 2026
Noun
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Paxton voters are more intense in their contempt for Cornyn than vice versa.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
20 May 2026
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The decision of the soap press to even cover the show proved contentious for the genre’s devotees, who just couldn’t fathom that publications were giving credence to a program that held the form in such contempt.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Aspersion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aspersion. Accessed 26 May. 2026.
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