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
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Asked about Newsom’s criticisms, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent went full Don Rickles.—
Susan Shelley,
Oc Register,
24 Jan. 2026
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When asked about Camarda’s criticisms of the CIT, Olivas acknowledged that no computer modeling program is completely accurate.—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN Money,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
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After that, officials decided to use tranquilizer darts to take down the animals believed to be the three adults in the pack before euthanizing them.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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Mocha pinstripe trousers with subtle side darts and a baby blue track jacket sound like unlikely bedfellows.—
Alison Syrett Cleary,
InStyle,
18 Jan. 2026
Noun
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While Russian state media said that the ceasefire went into effect, Ukraine’s military said attacks continued throughout the period.—
Hira Humayun,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
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The horrific killing, attacks, and raids in Minneapolis rightfully overshadowed a weekend intended for buzzy discoveries and bidding wars.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
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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
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There are enough famous names, insinuations, and revelations that the messages are inherently newsworthy.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
14 Nov. 2025
Noun
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And there’s even 10 names after that that are in a sub bracket.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
7 Jan. 2026
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Webb has been one of the hottest young names in the business ever since the start of the 2025 season, and now will receive his first official audition with an AFC West rival.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The president also called Walz and Frey himself Monday after weeks of hurling insults and accusing the Democratic officials of inciting resistance to the crackdown.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
27 Jan. 2026
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The crowd, rapidly swelling into the hundreds, screamed insults and obscenities at the agents, some of whom shouted back mockingly.—
Jack Brook,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Aspersions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aspersions. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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