asperse

[ uh-spurs ]
/ əˈspɜrs /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR asperse ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), as·persed, as·pers·ing.

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

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

OTHER WORDS FROM asperse

Words nearby asperse

aspergillum, aspergillus, asperity, aspermatism, aspermia, asperse, aspersion, aspersorium, asphalt, asphalt jungle, asphalt paper

Words related to aspersive

backbiting, defamatory, disparaging, injurious, invidious, malevolent, malicious, opprobrious, pejorative, sarcastic, scurrilous, untrue, calumnious, contumelious, vituperative, false, calumniatory

Example sentences from the Web for aspersive

  • Of course the aspersive attitude toward York was that of Mrs. Snograss reflected in Rochambeau.

    The ghosts of their ancestors |Weymer Jay Mills

British Dictionary definitions for aspersive

asperse
/ (əˈspɜːs) /

verb (tr)

to spread false rumours about; defame
rare to sprinkle, as with water in baptism

Derived forms of asperse

asperser, noun aspersive, adjective aspersively, adverb

Word Origin for asperse

C15: from Latin aspersus, from aspergere to sprinkle