aspersions

noun

plural of aspersion
as in criticisms
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

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 aspersions Who might emerge as the provocateur of the Premier League touchline and who might cast dark aspersions in press conferences? — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026 Amid aspersions and attack ads, the pair nearly came to blows at a community debate. — Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026 Not Calvin Klein casting gay aspersions! — Emma Specter, Vogue, 19 Feb. 2026 But in the end, their stories were deeper than the aspersions cast upon them. — Hunter Ingram, Variety, 8 Nov. 2025 And in mid-century America, there were so many aspersions to be cast! — David Merritt Johns, The Atlantic, 2 Nov. 2025 Their online parlance is punctuated by empty enthusiasms, vicious aspersions, and obvious hypocrisies that rarely matter. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 30 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aspersions
  1. criticisms
  2. darts
  3. attacks
  4. insinuations
  5. insults
  6. names
Noun
  • While fending off criticisms over his handling of the bridge, McKee has gone on the attack, accusing Foulkes as an out-of-touch corporate executive trying to buy her way into the election.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Sep. 2026
  • The right can’t stop talking about his sharp criticisms of MAGA leadership, disdain for US foreign policy, and his pro-Palestinian stance.
    — Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of criticisms
Noun
  • Standalone darts and tennis events are also on the streamer’s upcoming calendar.
    — Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 9 Sep. 2026
  • That show sees world champion darts player Luke Littler take on 20 members of the public in single games of 501 to win £501,000 ($680,000).
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of darts
Noun
  • Other foreign visitors have, however, been targeted in criminal attacks on Mexico's Pacific coast.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Even as crime in general has declined, the NYPD has reported a 16% increase in hate crimes so far this year, with Jews being the victims in more than half the attacks, officials said.
    — Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of attacks
Noun
  • The insinuations of business hucksterism are one thing that could provoke him, more intimate details are another.
    — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Coverage of the story dovetailed with a hail of memes and insinuations online that Crockett is a zealot or a pretend cowboy out of his depth.
    — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of insinuations
Noun
  • This much was clear from the insults continually traded between the two sets of fans.
    — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • While his insults may be what many remember, Hilton was widely praised for lifting up artists, especially singers, thanks to what insiders call a true gift for spotting those on the rise long before others.
    — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of insults
Noun
  • Beers, a tight end with one of the most marketable names in college football, is on his way to becoming a fan favorite in Norman.
    — The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Some visitors come specifically to see the large bronze relief along the side of the building listing the names of the firefighters killed on 9/11.
    — Philip Marcelo, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of names

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aspersion
aspersions
asphalt jungle
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Cite this Entry

“Aspersions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aspersions. Accessed 11 Sep. 2026.

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