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

That will be no mean feat in a district where she is already facing the “carpetbagger” aspersion.

From New York Times • Mar. 13, 2024

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