aspersion

[ uh-spur-zhuhn, -shuhn ]

/ əˈspɜr ʒən, -ʃən /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR aspersion ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a damaging or derogatory remark or criticism; slander: casting aspersions on a campaign rival.

the act of slandering; vilification; defamation; calumniation; derogation: Such vehement aspersions cannot be ignored.

the act of sprinkling, as in baptism.

Archaic. a shower or spray.

Words related to aspersion

obloquy, animadversion, hit, knock, defamation, smear, detraction, invective, slander, abuse, rap, libel, put-down, calumny, slam, vituperation, backbiting

Words nearby aspersion

aspergillus, asperity, aspermatism, aspermia, asperse, aspersion, aspersorium, asphalt, asphalt jungle, asphalt paper, asphalt rock

Origin of aspersion

1545–55; (< Middle French) < Latin aspersiōn- (stem of aspersiō) a sprinkling. See asperse, -ion

SYNONYMS FOR aspersion

1 censure, reproach.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR aspersion ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM aspersion

non·as·per·sion, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for aspersion

And Tobin, by somehow completely ignoring the definition of the word "aspersion," said this wasn't one.
Commentary Mag Defends Bigoted Smears Against Palestinian NFL Player|Ali Gharib|July 17, 2013|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.
Ignorant America|Tunku Varadarajan|August 30, 2010|DAILY BEAST
This is easily understood, without any aspersion on his veracity.
A General History and Collection of Voyages and Travels, Volume 16|Robert Kerr
Dr Westcott is not the only English Mason who has suffered the undeserved indignity of gross aspersion from this unclean pen.
Devil-Worship in France|Arthur Edward Waite

It is performed with water in two ways—by immersion, or plunging, and by aspersion, or sprinkling.
The Devil's Dictionary|Ambrose Bierce
But Forbes tossed his head at this aspersion on his ability to take care of himself.
What Will People Say?|Rupert Hughes
Now, that is an aspersion upon Lobengula and Samory in particular.
Khartoum Campaign, 1898|Bennet Burleigh

British Dictionary definitions for aspersion

aspersion

/ (əˈspɜːʃən) /

noun

a disparaging or malicious remark; slanderous accusation (esp in the phrase cast aspersions (on))

the act of defaming

rare the act of sprinkling, esp of water in baptism

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012