asperse

as·perse

verb \ə-ˈspərs, a-\

as·persedas·pers·ing

Definition of ASPERSE

transitive verb

1

: sprinkle; especially : to sprinkle with holy water

2

: to attack with evil reports or false or injurious charges

Examples of ASPERSE

1. <how dare you asperse the character of our dedicated pastor!>

Origin of ASPERSE

Latin aspersus, past participle of aspergere, from ad- + spargere to scatter — more at spark

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to ASPERSE

Synonyms: slander, blacken, calumniate, defame, libel, malign, smear, traduce, vilify

Related Words: belittle, denigrate, detract, disparage; discredit, disgrace, dishonor, shame; abase, debase, degrade, humble, humiliate; disdain, scorn

Near Antonyms: exalt, glorify, honor; acclaim, applaud, commend, praise; esteem, respect; admire, regard; adore, revere, venerate, worship

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See Synonym Discussion at malign

Rhymes with ASPERSE

adverse, amerce, averse, coerce, commerce, converse, cutpurse, disburse, disperse, diverse, dry nurse, free verse, immerse, inverse, Nez Percé, obverse, perverse, rehearse, reverse, scrub nurse, sesterce, submerse, transverse, traverse, wet nurse