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
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
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
-
What the city got from some within the police department was more than 80 pages of complaints, criticisms and concerns about then-police chief Mikael Dahlstrom, allegations that led to him resigning in November after the city decided not to carry out a formal investigation.—
Nick Ferraro,
Twin Cities,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Scharf also began the discussion of the ballroom by pointing to past media criticisms of the construction of the White House under past presidents.—
Mabinty Quarshie,
The Washington Examiner,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The event, a change in pace from the foundation’s annual poker tournament, also included live karaoke, bowling, darts and a live auction that included autographed sports memorabilia.—
Mike Curtis,
Dallas Morning News,
30 Mar. 2026
-
There's also a jukebox, darts and an outdoor patio.—
Keith Pandolfi,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The White House budget proposes cutting funding for the federal agency created after the September 11, 2001 attacks by $52 million and would require small airports to enroll in a program in which TSA pays for private screeners.—
Reuters,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
-
The attacks bring into sharp relief how some of the key selling points of crypto — decentralization from banks, the ease of transferring large sums, irreversible transactions — also double as its vulnerabilities.—
Megan Cassidy,
San Francisco Chronicle,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Termini adds that, contrary to DraftKings’ insinuations, the NCAA’s deal with Genius Sports contains various restrictions on trademark use.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
26 Mar. 2026
-
The feud escalated further in February, when Owens launched a multi-part series targeting Erika Kirk, the widow of Charlie Kirk, delving into her family background and advancing insinuations about her role in his death that were widely condemned across the conservative spectrum.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Her heart features the side profiles of two residents wearing Indigenous attire in the foreground, and a map of the city’s East Side, with street names like Indiana Avenue, Holmes Street and Troost Avenue behind them.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Many of the most famous names in Mississippi civil-rights history got their start in Mound Bayou, or found support and safety there.—
Beverly Gage,
The Atlantic,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Laughs and insults, all expressed at a high volume, were guaranteed to follow.—
Chris Perkins,
Sun Sentinel,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Leilah Herrera, a player who left the USF team in 2021, said in a deposition video that the insults would fly every practice.—
Julia Haney,
NPR,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Aspersions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aspersions. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
