ASPERSING Synonyms: 168 Similar and Opposite Words

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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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!

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for aspersing

Noun

Conservative filmmaker Dinesh D’Souza has settled a defamation lawsuit filed by a Gwinnett County man in 2022, avoiding a trial that was set to begin Monday in federal court in Atlanta.

— Caleb Groves, AJC.com, 18 Aug. 2026
While legal protections exist, like the TAKE IT DOWN Act and defamation claims, they are often poorly enforced, arrive too late, and face challenges from Big Tech.

— Allyson Kapin, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of defamation

Verb

At the entrance of Kollparay, Quispe pauses, taking my hands and smearing them with soil—the soil of her village.

— Paola Miglio, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 June 2026
This will lead to smearing dust particles around instead of picking them up, which is where a wet cloth comes into play.

— Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 5 June 2026

Definition of smearing

Noun

His contempt for the Jewish state of Israel will lead our city right into a libel suit worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 3 Aug. 2026
In response, Baldoni — and nine other plaintiffs, including publicists Melissa Nathan and Jennifer Abel — sued the newspaper for libel and false light invasion of privacy, among other claims, over the article, and sought $250 million in damages.

— Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 28 July 2026

Definition of libel

Adjective

By suggesting that Black women would willingly place their own children in mortal danger for profit, such narratives provided yet another means of humiliating, degrading and dehumanizing African Americans.

— The Conversation, The Conversation, 11 Aug. 2026
With fracking — which is already outlawed on offshore platforms in California waters, and is widely viewed as an environmentally degrading and often risky process — Gilda’s production would jump to about 4,000 barrels a day.

— Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 9 Aug. 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

The justice ministry rejected the criticism, saying the proceedings complied with Syrian law and included the participation of victims and their representatives.

— Paula Hancocks, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
The documentary spotlighted some harsh criticisms of the show and of Banks.

— Gene Maddaus, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of criticism

Adjective

According to the motion, the documentary does not reasonably convey the defamatory implications Banks alleges or suggest that the filmmakers intended to convey them.

— ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
The lawsuit also accuses Jones, who appears in the series and previously sued Combs in 2024, of making defamatory statements in the documentary.

— Krystie Lee Yandoli, USA Today, 14 Aug. 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.

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asperses

aspersing

aspersion

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“Aspersing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aspersing. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of aspersing

noun

adjective

verb

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