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
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
The quotations because the term is more one of aspersion than a real pointer to a specific and discrete movement at this point.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 29 Dec. 2011
See all Example Sentences for aspersion 
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
The quotations because the term is more one of aspersion than a real pointer to a specific and discrete movement at this point.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 29 Dec. 2011
See all Example Sentences for aspersion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aspersion
Noun
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Signing the best starter remaining on the free-agent market would allay those concerns and quell some of the criticism surrounding Atlanta's quiet offseason.—
Kristen Waggoner,
Newsweek,
22 Jan. 2025
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Mayor Bass faces fierce criticism for the timing of an overseas trip and budget cuts made months ago affecting the fire department.—
Chris Boyette,
CNN,
21 Jan. 2025
Noun
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More news: Vikings and Kevin O'Connell Agree to Massive Multi-Year Extension Two-time MVP Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson threw a dart to tight end Mark Andrews who caught the ball but fumbled it right before falling into the endzone.—
Kristen Waggoner,
Newsweek,
22 Jan. 2025
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Finding Nemo-ready tropical fish dart in aquarium-clear waters an easy snorkel kick from shore.—
Mark Gauert,
Sun Sentinel,
20 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Though no one was ever charged in the attack, FALN, which planted more than 100 bombs in New York City and Chicago during the 1970s and ’80s, proudly claimed responsibility.—
Rocco Parascandola,
New York Daily News,
24 Jan. 2025
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The three women lived in the home on King Road with two other women who went physically unharmed in the early-morning attack, and Chapin was Kernodle’s boyfriend and stayed over for the night.—
Kevin Fixler,
Idaho Statesman,
24 Jan. 2025
Noun
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In the film, Majors plays amateur bodybuilder Killian Maddox, who aspires to make a name for himself within the violent world of bodybuilding.—
Matt Minton,
Variety,
29 Jan. 2025
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The names of the five Thai citizens to be freed have not been made public.—
Lauren Izso,
CNN,
29 Jan. 2025
Noun
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That brings us to the other calumnies Vance and Trump have directed at the Haitians in Springfield.—
Michael Hiltzik,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Sep. 2024
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Sifton and Stern conclude their book with a look at how even after the Nazis’ defeat, the Bonhoeffer and Dohnanyi families faced public and official calumny for being relatives of traitors.—
Peter Hoffmann,
Foreign Affairs,
18 June 2014
Noun
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The censure hasn’t stopped Turner from seeking the mayoral post.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Jan. 2025
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The day after the fighter’s death, Trump dismissed the censure.—
Mikal Gilmore,
Rolling Stone,
17 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Last fall, Judge Laura Taylor Swain found the city in contempt of a range of court orders and directed the parties to file proposals for an independent receiver.—
Graham Rayman,
New York Daily News,
27 Jan. 2025
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Mueller’s predecessor, Pritzker appointee Marc Smith, was held in contempt of court a number of times for violating court orders by failing to find children appropriate placements in a timely manner, though all or most of those orders were later vacated.—
Olivia Olander,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near aspersion
Cite this Entry
“Aspersion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aspersion. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
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