aspersion

[ uh-spur-zhuhn, -shuhn ]

noun

1. a damaging or derogatory remark or criticism; slander:

   casting aspersions on a campaign rival.

   Synonyms: reproach, censure

2. the act of slandering; vilification; calumniation; derogation; defamation:

   Such vehement aspersions cannot be ignored.

3. the act of sprinkling, as in baptism.
4. Archaic. a shower or spray.

aspersion

/ əˈspɜːʃən /

noun

1. a disparaging or malicious remark; slanderous accusation (esp in the phrase cast aspersions ( on ))
2. the act of defaming
3. rare.
   the act of sprinkling, esp of water in baptism

Other Words From

• nonas·persion noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of aspersion¹

First recorded in 1570–80; from Latin aspersiōn- (stem of aspersiō ) “a sprinkling”; asperse, -ion

Example Sentences

He is frequently brash and interruptive, peppering dire warnings about vaccines with veiled aspersions toward Anthony Fauci and vague references to influential people who agree with him in private but cannot speak publicly.

From MIT Technology Review

And Tobin, by somehow completely ignoring the definition of the word "aspersion," said this wasn't one.

From The Daily Beast

I suspect that Obama, too—for all his personal angst over the Muslim aspersion—will be with squarely with me on this one.

From The Daily Beast

We shall say nothing as to the defects or merits of aspersion or sprinkling, immersion or dipping, affusion or pouring.

From Project Gutenberg

Dr Westcott is not the only English Mason who has suffered the undeserved indignity of gross aspersion from this unclean pen.

From Project Gutenberg

The very aspersion is grievous, which makes him choose his way in his life as he would in his journey.

From Project Gutenberg

Outwardly the latter method was successful; in two months the converts were so numerous that they had to be baptized by aspersion.

From Project Gutenberg

In fact, there was not a lady of the court at whom he did not cast some aspersion, not excepting his wife herself.

From Project Gutenberg