aspersing 1 of 3

noun

as in defamation
the making of false statements that damage another's reputation she has refused to take part in the mean-spirited aspersing in which so many political candidates indulge

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

aspersing

2 of 3

adjective

as in insulting

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Dissimilar Words

aspersing

3 of 3

verb

present participle of asperse
as in smearing
to make untrue and harmful statements about how dare you asperse the character of our dedicated pastor!

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for aspersing
  1. defamation
  2. insulting
  3. smearing
  4. libel
  5. degrading
  6. humiliating
  7. criticism
  8. defamatory
Noun
  • Carlson called on Fox News Media Chief Executive Suzanne Scott to fire Heinrich in a text that came to light three years later when Dominion Voting System filed its defamation suit against the network.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Envita answered through a spokesman — and also sent me a letter from its lawyer, threatening a defamation action against this publication.
    — Trisha Thadani Kirsten Potter Tanya Pérez Devin Murphy, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of defamation
Adjective
  • Some job seekers say AI interviews can feel impersonal, stilted, and downright insulting.
    — Sarah Jackson Juhohn Lee, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Even more insulting was the cold, transactional nature of the intrusion.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of insulting
Verb
  • Yet what follows is an extended list of ethical sins, with a focus on the sins of abusive speech, such as slandering, slurring, slighting and smearing the reputations of others.
    — Reuven Kimelman, The Conversation, 18 Sep. 2026
  • People have gone from smearing the compound on their faces to using injections, in hopes of achieving firmer, wrinkle-free skin and other anti-aging benefits.
    — Brittney Melton, NPR, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of smearing
Noun
  • Clarke, who denied all allegations, later sued the publication for libel but lost the case in August 2025.
    — Liza Esquibias, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2026
  • The lawsuit accuses all three defendants of libel by implication and Camero separately of libel.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of libel
Adjective
  • At Fuerte Guaicaipuro, a military facility, investigators documented detainees being confined in pit-like cells dug below ground level and subjected to cold, food deprivation and other degrading treatment.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 16 Sep. 2026
  • The beating can look degrading, but the check might protect opportunities for hundreds of athletes who never appear in the game.
    — Jason Lloyd, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of degrading
Verb
  • The Iranians are now setting the terms of this conflict and are routinely humiliating the American president.
    — Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026
  • Instead of demanding personal fealty or humiliating them to assert personal dominance, Lincoln absorbed their egos and occasional slights, elevating their talents and turning his fiercest political adversaries into his most devoted champions.
    — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 24 June 2026
Definition of humiliating
Noun
  • Carlson has faced criticism for interviewing Holocaust revisionist Darryl Cooper in 2024 and white nationalist Nick Fuentes, who has repeatedly denied the Holocaust, made antisemitic comments, and praised Adolf Hitler.
    — Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 2026
  • The statement came only after Thomas called out the commissioner, intensifying criticism that the league had been reactive throughout the controversy.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of criticism
Adjective
  • Mansouri denied the allegations, called them defamatory and took legal action.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Even if the statement was false and defamatory, Loy noted that Kiley would face another obstacle in court.
    — Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of defamatory
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

asperses
aspersing
aspersion
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Cite this Entry

“Aspersing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aspersing. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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