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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Recent Examples of aspersions
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
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
Noun
-
On Saturday, former CIA Director Leon Panetta, who served under former President Barack Obama, suggested Bolton was targeted over his frequent criticisms of the president’s foreign policy decisions.—
Asher Notheis,
The Washington Examiner,
24 Aug. 2025
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Other users on social media leveled similar criticisms at the Browns, with some speculating that the obstacles being put in front of the quarterback are intentional.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
23 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Luke Littler, the 19-year-old darts player from England, has shaken the foundation of his sport, shattering records and exploding to global fame.—
Time,
Time,
9 June 2026
-
After debuting at Coachella as an off-grounds festival experience and content playground replete with a claw machine, balloon darts, mini burgers and colorful popsicles in promotion of the brand’s Spotwear pimple patches, Rhode World will travel throughout North America and Europe this summer.—
Hikmat Mohammed,
Vogue,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
Teams are targeting the champions down their right side, channelling more of their attacks onto that flank.—
Liam Tharme,
New York Times,
12 Dec. 2025
-
November saw the highest number of attacks yet in a single month, according to data from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED) project, and CNN’s analysis.—
Vasco Cotovio,
CNN Money,
11 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Believing our conduct improper, the villagers began to make insinuations.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 May 2026
-
Attacks and insinuations from members of the political classes include completely baseless allegations of election-rigging, inconsistency, bias and data manipulation.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
As of Sunday evening, the names of those killed had yet to be released.—
Eric Adler,
Kansas City Star,
15 June 2026
-
Mizrahi at Target is the latest in a trend that has seen names like John Galliano teaming with Zara, Zac Posen posting up in a full-time creative role at Gap Inc, and Francesco Risso and Clare Waight Keller signing contracts with Fast Retailing’s GU and Uniqlo, respectively.—
Hilary Milnes,
Vogue,
15 June 2026
Noun
-
The adversaries made for a striking scene, exchanging insults in mutually unintelligible languages in the dead of night.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 June 2026
-
Candidates also say the interim mayor must return order to meetings, which have become increasingly discordant as the public interrupts proceedings and occasionally hurls pointed insults at council members.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
15 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Aspersions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aspersions. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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