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
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
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
-
In some ways it was set up to fail from the moment those infamous quotation marks around the title were revealed; an attempt by Fennell to get ahead of the very criticisms that have been published this week.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
12 Feb. 2026
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Similar criticisms arose when the board made its last appointment — District 7 member Alex Arroyo, who in early 2025 replaced former board member Monica Silva after she was elected Kane County coroner.—
Molly Morrow,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
It is known for its darts, live music, and promotion of local artwork, and bills itself as Chicago's top dog-friendly bar.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
17 Feb. 2026
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In fact, the phrase originated in cricket and spread to many sports, including soccer, darts and horse racing.—
Juliana Kim,
NPR,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Militants have carried out shooting attacks on troops, and Israel says its strikes are in response to that and other violations.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
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The administration’s attacks on Lemon and independent journalists have boosted their online attention and revenue.—
Drew Harwell,
Washington Post,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
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And because Epstein cultivated as many high-profile contacts as possible, that leaves a whole lot of people potentially exposed to unfounded insinuations.—
Gilad Edelman,
The Atlantic,
7 Feb. 2026
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In a recent interview at the Charlotte Chess Center, Giannatos kept coming back to Kramnik and the effect the grandmaster’s insinuations seemed to have on Naroditsky’s psyche.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
18 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
In corporate earnings, Airbus, Nestlé and Renault are among the names reporting results later this week.—
Hugh Leask,
CNBC,
16 Feb. 2026
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The names listed are of those who reported a burglary and the dates are when the crime is believed to have taken place.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Employees at an El Dorado Hills fast food restaurant went on a one-day strike, after a manager reportedly flung insults and acted unprofessionally to Latino workers.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
17 Feb. 2026
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When Lucy confesses to sleeping with Evan, Pippa’s insults for Lucy could rival even some of Stephen’s greatest hits.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Vulture,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Aspersions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aspersions. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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