as in criticism
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of aspersion
This potential smoking gun could be a destabilizing and demoralizing blow for many members of the Indigenous community, who in the past 12 months also have seen aspersions cast on the heritage of high-profile figures including Sacheen Littlefeather and independent film producer Heather Rae.
—
Rebecca Sun, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Oct. 2023
Each apologized profusely, but qualified it with vicious aspersions on the other.
—John Jeremiah Sullivan, Harper's Magazine, 14 Aug. 2023
Klimek: There's some aspersions about men with facial hair there.
—Chris Klimek, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 July 2023
Not to cast any aspersions at any other demographic, but there’s been a very severe misrepresentation on stages, not just gender-wise, but color-, every-identity-wise.
—Stephanie Clifford, ELLE, 8 Mar. 2023
See All Example Sentences for aspersion
Rebecca Sun, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Oct. 2023
Each apologized profusely, but qualified it with vicious aspersions on the other.
—John Jeremiah Sullivan, Harper's Magazine, 14 Aug. 2023
Klimek: There's some aspersions about men with facial hair there.
—Chris Klimek, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 July 2023
Not to cast any aspersions at any other demographic, but there’s been a very severe misrepresentation on stages, not just gender-wise, but color-, every-identity-wise.
—Stephanie Clifford, ELLE, 8 Mar. 2023
See All Example Sentences for aspersion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aspersion
Noun
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The Washington football franchise changed its name from the Washington Redskins to the Commanders after decades of criticism about its name and logo.—
Annabella Rosciglione,
The Washington Examiner,
20 July 2025
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But the colloquial use of the term has prompted criticism from some.—
Rebecca Schneid,
Time,
20 July 2025
Noun
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Police also found a pair of Morphew's shorts and a needle cap from one of the darts in the house's dryer.—
Rebecca Cohen,
NBC news,
20 June 2025
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Insects and mice dart at my feet, a squirming in the grass.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 June 2025
Noun
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The restaurant was a favorite hangout of the Gilbert Goons and the site of seven parking lot attacks, according to beating videos, interviews and police records.—
Perry Vandell,
AZCentral.com,
24 July 2025
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Walmart provided security footage that reportedly confirms both the attack and the theft.—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
23 July 2025
Noun
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The name sturgeon moon comes from the lake sturgeon, native to the Great Lakes and traditionally a key food source for Indigenous tribes during this summer season, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
28 July 2025
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However, this isn’t a specific species but rather a common name or catchall term people use when describing tiny ants such as the odorous house ant or little black ant, says Benson.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
28 July 2025
Noun
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The Sermon on the ‘Mount episode also represented, amid the resulting furor on the right, a canny announcement that the collected calumnies of creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone are finally available on the Paramount Plus streaming service, after years licensed on Warner Bros.—
David Bloom,
Forbes.com,
28 July 2025
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That’s when his ugly-American calumny turned to blather.—
Armond White,
National Review,
28 May 2025
Noun
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Later that month, Ramirez-Rosa avoided a historic censure thanks to Johnson’s tie-breaker vote, but not before the episode cast open bitter divisions within the body along racial lines.—
Alice Yin,
Chicago Tribune,
18 July 2025
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Blain said in the statement that the independent investigative report — and the censure vote — were not objective inquiries, but the result of politics.—
Julie Gallant,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 July 2025
Noun
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Officials arrested the 55-year-old on Saturday after a Missouri judge held her in contempt of court for dodging court orders regarding $224,000 in attorneys’ fees and costs owed to PETA.—
Cheyenne Roundtree,
Rolling Stone,
23 July 2025
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The series of photos — and a follow-up Valentine's Day post — were not well-received by Arroyo, who told PEOPLE that Rossi and Smiley barely saw Grayson and all there have been eight contempt of court orders over the years.—
Kayla Grant,
People.com,
18 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Aspersion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aspersion. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.
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