verb
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to spread false rumours about; defame
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rare to sprinkle, as with water in baptism
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of asperse
1480–90; < Latin aspersus besprinkled (past participle of aspergere ), equivalent to a- a- 5 + -sper- (combining form of spar-, variant of sparg- sparge ) + -sus, variant of -tus past participle suffix
Vocabulary lists containing asperse
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
The hereditary duties of the King's Champion are to "gird himself in complete armor," ride out upon a noble charger, fling down his gauntlet, offer to fight all "liars and traitors" who asperse King Edward.
From Time Magazine Archive
With this threat blazoned, the British note went on to asperse individually and by name five officials of the Soviet Government.
From Time Magazine Archive
A sudden message from the king absolutely forbade them to asperse any of his majesty’s ministers, otherwise his majesty would instantly dissolve them.
From Curiosities of Literature, Vol. 3 by Isaac Disraeli
Thou dost asperse me rudely, and excuse Of ignorance hast none, far better taught; What words were these?
From The Odyssey of Homer by William Cowper
"Who dares to say," exclaimed Arundel, whose irritation this fresh taunt increased, "that Sir Christopher assumes a title which belongs not to him, or to asperse in any respect his character?"
From The Knight of the Golden Melice A Historical Romance by John Turvill Adams
During the first nine months of 1923 there were: Births 584,458 Deaths 506,007 Birth rate excess 78,451 The Paris press aspersed U. S. lib erty.
From Time Magazine Archive
When I remonstrated for more seamen, I was called an enemy to Government: now I am told that I want to strew the King's pillow with thorns: am traduced, aspersed, calumniated from morning to night.
From Lord Chatham His Early Life and Connections by Archibald Phillip Primrose Rosebery
But Sabellianism was a general slander with which they aspersed all orthodox pastors.
From The Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs, and Principal Saints January, February, March by Alban Butler
Once more, all the old, worn-out charges were trumped up, including even that by which the Princess Margaret’s name had been so cruelly aspersed.
From Earl Hubert's Daughter The Polishing of the Pearl - A Tale of the 13th Century by Emily Sarah Holt
The politician perceives that his private affairs are deranged, his family neglected, his character aspersed, his feelings exacerbated.
From Gamblers and Gambling by Henry Ward Beecher
He had brought this suit against Le Journal of Paris for libelously aspersing his patriotism as an Alsatian.
From Time Magazine Archive
J. Without unfairly aspersing Homer Cummings, it can be said that the D. o.
From Time Magazine Archive
At one time he thought of writing to the Home Office and aspersing his accuser; then he regretted his visit to Ashtown Park.
From It Is Never Too Late to Mend by Charles Reade
I understood the persistence of Alexis in aspersing her character.
From Marie; a story of Russian love by Marie H. de Zielinska
That the tale of Richard aspersing the chastity of his own mother is incredible; it appearing that he lived with her in perfect harmony, and lodged with her in her palace at that very time.
From Historic Doubts on the Life and Reign of King Richard the Third by Horace Walpole
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
