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
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
-
After less than eight months on the job, Kent resigned to protest the war and has since gone public with blistering criticisms of the administration.—
Tom Nichols,
The Atlantic,
25 Apr. 2026
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Johnson has pushed back on Witzburg's criticisms, saying her time as inspector general has politicized the office, damaging its independence and credibility.—
Chris Tye,
CBS News,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The professional darts player and reigning Dutch champion, 29, shared an emotional goodbye message to her sport after the Darts Regulation Authority (DRA) ruled that transgender women will not be able to compete in women's competitions on Thursday, April 9.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
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Two seem to be solid hits (Upton Stout and Dominick Puni), the jury is still out on two others (Nick Martin and Ji’Ayir Brown), while the remaining seven seem like Lynch and Shanahan were throwing darts blindfolded.—
Vic Tafur,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Remember, Congress was given the power in the Constitution to formally declare war, and AUMFs were drawn up after the 9/11 attacks and Congress at that time passed an authorization for use of military force.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
1 May 2026
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Residents of the usually picturesque Russian resort town of Tuapse were this week warned not to leave the homes or open windows as authorities tackled intense fires from a series of Ukrainian drone attacks on the town’s oil refinery.—
Yuliya Talmazan,
NBC news,
1 May 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
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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
-
The truth in this story seems to be elusive and unknowable, and this circles back to your earlier question about what kind of assumptions are made about people with names like Saïd or Tamerlan.—
Cressida Leyshon,
New Yorker,
26 Apr. 2026
-
The sandwiches derive their names from the city’s streets.—
Stephanie Breijo,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The president has spent a decade calling his rivals communists and traitors, among other hyperbolic insults.—
Jonathan Chait,
The Atlantic,
28 Apr. 2026
-
According to Politico, the conversation was nothing but a tirade of insults.—
Tom Jurkowsky,
Baltimore Sun,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Aspersions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aspersions. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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