aspersion

American  

[uh-spur-zhuhn, -shuhn] / əˈspɜr ʒən, -ʃən /

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.

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aspersion British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• nonaspersion noun

Etymology

Origin of aspersion

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

Explanation

An aspersion is a disparaging remark. It almost invariably appears as a plural, following the word "cast" — when you cast aspersions on someone, you are questioning their abilities or doubting them. Finding out that a field-hockey coach had never played the sport might cast aspersions on her ability to coach it. Wendy's ads don't come out and say that McDonald's hamburgers are made out of cardboard, but through shot after shot of their own thick and juicy and oddly square offering, they cast aspersions on the quarter-pounder.

Example Sentences

Though Smith’s actions cast no aspersion on the sisters, his win for playing their father was stained with apology rather than triumph and that’s too bad.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 28, 2022

Don’t restrict my freedom to ask questions that are perfectly legitimate, that cast no aspersion unless you choose to take them that way.

From Slate • Oct. 23, 2018

Schumer instead tempered the aspersion directed at his Senate counterpart as a “blatant falsehood.”

From Fox News • Oct. 13, 2018

No matter, it is fully understandable that Williams would react to the allusion of the data as aspersion against her accomplishments.

From Washington Post • Jul. 27, 2018

The chief ignored Trengove’s aspersion and calmly remarked to the bench, “My Lord, I think the Crown is running wild.”

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela