aspersive
Definition
- Adjective:
- Tending to slander or defame: "aspersive" describes language or behavior that aims to damage someone's reputation through false or malicious statements.
- Characterized by casting aspersions: It refers to remarks or actions that imply criticism or blame without direct evidence.
Usage Examples
- (His remarks were intended to slander her character.)
- (The speech was defamatory and malicious.)
- (Her tone was insulting and damaging.)
Advanced Usage
"aspersive language": speech that is deliberately harmful to someone's reputation.
- The article was filled with aspersive language, attacking the scientist's motives without evidence. (The writing was defamatory.)
"aspersive campaign": a coordinated effort to slander someone.
- The rival company launched an aspersive campaign against the new product. (A campaign to spread false accusations.)
Variants and Related Words
- Aspersion (n): a disparaging or damaging remark; slander.
- He cast aspersions on her ability to lead the team. (He made critical, unfounded remarks.)
- Asperse (v): to attack someone's reputation with false or damaging statements.
- They sought to asperse his character with lies. (They tried to slander him.)
- Aspersory (adj): an alternative form of "aspersive," having the same meaning.
- Her aspersory remarks were quickly dismissed by the court. (Her defamatory statements were rejected.)
Synonyms
- Defamatory: likely to harm someone's reputation.
- Slanderous: containing false spoken statements that damage a person's reputation.
- Calumnious: involving false and malicious accusations.
- Libelous: (in writing) containing false and damaging statements.
Related Idioms
- Cast aspersions on: to make damaging or critical remarks about someone.
- He cast aspersions on her work ethic without any proof. (He made unfounded criticisms.)
- Drag through the mud: to publicly slander or defame someone.
- The tabloids dragged the celebrity's name through the mud. (They damaged his reputation through false stories.)
Phrasal Verbs
- Asperse against (rare, formal): to speak against someone in a defamatory manner.
- He aspersed against his colleague during the meeting. (He made slanderous remarks.)