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

Example Sentences

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 women suggest that Mr. Singer and others, acting on behalf of Mr. Cosby, did not simply deny the accusations but cast aspersion on them by attacking them personally and branding them liars.

From New York Times • Nov. 13, 2015

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