ASPERSIONS Synonyms: 75 Similar and Opposite Words

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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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

Noun

Former Vice President Kamala Harris shares some of your criticisms, clearly.

— NBC news, NBC news, 30 Aug. 2026
The prolific musician, actor and philanthropist, who died on Tuesday at 80 years old, always had a tongue-in-cheek response to criticisms about her larger-than-life sense of style.

— Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of criticisms

Noun

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
Some of our favorite barrel leg pants actually accentuate the balloon silhouette or taper of the leg by adding darts, extra side panels, pleats, patches, or other elements that highlight the aesthetic element.

— Lucía Tejo, Glamour, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of darts

Noun

The development comes as the global shipping industry contends with attacks around the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, higher energy prices, and sharply reduced traffic through some of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints.

— Joshua Hong, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026
The move follows months of Ukrainian attacks on oil refineries and logistics hubs that have disrupted fuel supplies and online commerce, deepening economic strain and public frustration as Russia’s war enters its fifth year.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of attacks

Noun

Ormund makes insinuations that his cousin is gay, which makes Ormund at once the most outwardly homophobic and sexist character in the show presently.

— Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
The singer laughed off illicit insinuations that have taken the internet by storm since video of the interview went viral.

— Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 20 July 2026

Definition of insinuations

Noun

He was subsequently dismissed by Dior and, months later, found guilty by a French court of making public insults based on origin, religion, race, or ethnicity.

— Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 31 Aug. 2026
The arrest came after Kelley Wolf had reportedly made a series of hostile social media posts, which featured insults and allegations against various friends and family, including her ex-husband, Wolf.

— Edward Segarra, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of insults

Noun

According to Dundy, rebellion against their father defined much of the future filmmaker’s life, which unfolded as a struggle for freedom characterized by bold actions and boldface names.

— Richard Brody, New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2026
Those names can be drafted in the middle rounds as upside options in an offense that is expected to take another step forward.

— Jonathan Rubin, Charlotte Observer, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of names

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“Aspersions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aspersions. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of aspersions

noun

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