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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
  • Ukraine's State Emergency Service said Tuesday that Russian strikes on Kyiv had killed one person and wounded seven other people since the start of the day, with attacks carried out on the capital's gas stations.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Ukraine’s State Emergency Service said Tuesday that Russian strikes on Kyiv had killed one person and wounded seven other people since the start of the day, with attacks carried out on the capital’s gas stations.
    — Liudas Dapkus, Los Angeles Times, 15 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
  • Those who drive past our protests and yell insults or flip us the bird are to be pitied.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 11 Sep. 2026
  • This much was clear from the insults continually traded between the two sets of fans.
    — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of insults
Noun
  • Reilly’s September 10 report found consensus estimates for S&P 500 earnings growth now matching dot-com-era peaks, concentrated overwhelmingly in technology and semiconductor names.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Working with some of the hottest names, a list that includes Celine, Bottega Veneta, Loewe and The Row, has given her a front-row seat to the evolution.
    — WWD Staff, Footwear News, 14 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 17 Sep. 2026.

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