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GRE vocabulary

aspersions

nounHigh-frequency wordMore A words

attacks on the reputation or integrity of someone; damaging or derogatory remarks

Word origin: From Latin aspergere, to sprinkle (ad- on plus spargere to scatter).

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In a sentence

Aspersions in a sentence

Here are example sentences showing aspersions in a sentence.

She cast aspersions on her rival's motives without offering any concrete evidence.

The rival campaign cast aspersions on her record without offering a shred of evidence.

Antonyms
praisecommendationacclaim

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Verbal · Sentence Equivalence

Far from being the revolutionary thinker his admirers claimed, the philosopher was in fact quite blank, defending the traditional doctrines of his teachers without challenge.

Select the two answers that give the sentence the same meaning. 0 of 2 selected.

Usage & nuance

Using “aspersions” well

Aspersions are damaging remarks that attack someone's reputation, almost always used in the phrase cast aspersions on. The connotation is one of unfair or unfounded defamation.

Common questions

Questions about “aspersions”

Aspersions (noun) means attacks on the reputation or integrity of someone; damaging or derogatory remarks
Here is aspersions used in an example sentence: "She cast aspersions on her rival's motives without offering any concrete evidence." Another example: "The rival campaign cast aspersions on her record without offering a shred of evidence."
Common synonyms for aspersions include slander, defamation, calumny, slurs.
Antonyms of aspersions include praise, commendation, acclaim.
Aspersions cluster with slander, defamation, calumny, and slurs in Sentence Equivalence. Its antonyms praise, commendation, and acclaim mark the favorable opposite a passage may contrast against it.
Yes. Aspersions is a high-frequency GRE word, so it is worth prioritising as you build your vocabulary.

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