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.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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
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
-
The negative shift in 'cynicism's' meaning is largely attributed to the historical lens of Plato's criticisms, as Antisthenes' own writings are scarce.
-
But advocates for survivors say there’s ample evidence of failures at high levels, even beyond Guidepost's criticisms of the Executive Committee.
Noun
-
Watson has the ability to take any type pitch where it is thrown, using the entire field with line-drive darts off the barrel.
-
Kick back in a chill, industrial, dog-friendly taproom for a flight of beer—house brews include IPAs, porters, and classic European styles—and a few rounds of darts.
Noun
-
The British Army also provided protection from attacks by Native American tribes, giving many settlers little reason to support a rebellion.
-
Twice in recent days, the United States has launched retaliatory strikes on Iran following drone attacks on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
Noun
-
Believing our conduct improper, the villagers began to make insinuations.
-
But whatever one thinks of Massie’s anti-Israel activism and anti-Jewish insinuations, neither was the reason he was excised.
Noun
-
The five names to know for 2027 Five of the potential contenders currently sit on the Charlotte City Council.
-
Staff weathering the storm The Cubs are more than halfway through the season and playing around a 90-win pace, yet their clubhouse often looks like a scene out of spring training, with new names, unfamiliar faces, and players coming and going.
Noun
-
According to Spell and members of his congregation, the man had a history of verbally harassing them with threats, insults and racial slurs.
-
Michael Lind, the writer and New America co-founder, argues in Commonplace, the magazine of Oren Cass’s American Compass, that a decent wage and a safety net should be enough, and that handing workers a stake in capital insults the dignity of their labor.
Cite this Entry
“Aspersions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aspersions. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
