asperse

American  

[uh-spurs] / əˈspɜrs /

verb (used with object)

aspersed, aspersing

1. to attack with false, malicious, and damaging charges or insinuations; slander.

   Synonyms:

   traduce, abuse, malign

2. to sprinkle; bespatter.

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asperse British  

/ əˈspɜːs /

verb

1. to spread false rumours about; defame

2. rare to sprinkle, as with water in baptism

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Other Word Forms

• asperser noun
• aspersive adjective
• aspersively adverb
• unaspersed adjective
• unaspersive adjective

Etymology

Origin of asperse

1480–90; < Latin aspersus besprinkled (past participle of aspergere ), equivalent to a- a- ⁵ + -sper- (combining form of spar-, variant of sparg- sparge ) + -sus, variant of -tus past participle suffix

Example Sentences

With this threat blazoned, the British note went on to asperse individually and by name five officials of the Soviet Government.

From Time Magazine Archive

The hereditary duties of the King's Champion are to "gird himself in complete armor," ride out upon a noble charger, fling down his gauntlet, offer to fight all "liars and traitors" who asperse King Edward.

From Time Magazine Archive

Superior excellence is the general mark for calumny; and envy is usually led to asperse what it cannot imitate.

From Alida or, Miscellaneous Sketches of Incidents During the Late American War. Founded on Fact by Comfield, Amelia Stratton

But we may question whether the poet did not unduly idealize the past, as is the custom of poets, and whether he did not unfairly asperse the present.

From Americanisms and Briticisms with other essays on other isms by Matthews, Brander

While few ventured to asperse the character of President Menocal himself, his administration was vilified as corrupt and inefficient.

From The History of Cuba, vol. 4 by Johnson, Willis Fletcher